9 snakes rescued ahead of Nag Panchami

HYDERABAD: The anti-poaching squad of the forest department along with organisations working for animal welfare have their hands full with action plans devised to track down snake charmers and rescue snakes ahead of Nag Panchami on July 24.

Authorities who are taking all necessary steps including visiting the major activity hubs of snake charmers and stationing men at bus stations across the city, said that this time the number of snake charmers has reduced significantly. Mahesh Agarwal, member of Animal Welfare Board and founder of Sahyog, an animal protection organization, said, “So far, we have managed to rescue nine snakes -- five from Karmanghat, two from Rajendranagar, one from Shivarampally and another from Kattedan. Of these snakes, three were cobras and one a rat snake.”

“Every year by this time we usually manage to nab around 20 snake charmers. This year the number is very low.” Talking about the steps being taking to keep snake charmers in check, he said that teams of officials have been visiting areas considered the den of snake charmers, such as Esamia Bazaar, Dhoolpet, Gulzar Houz, Ibrahimpatnam, Alwal, Secunderabad Clock Tower and Monda Market. He further added that they have manned major bus terminals like the Imliban bus stand and Jubilee bus stand to nab snake charmers coming from districts.