Range forest officers, snake rescuers, forest watchers and guards from the Western Ghats took a vow on Sunday: To educate students and locals on the need to conserve King Cobras, and to save them from extinction due to killing and other illegal activities.
BB Mallesha, director, Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, directed officials attending a two-day workshop on conservation of King Cobras to visit schools and colleges in their respective areas and spread the good word.
Western Ghats has the highest density of the venomous snake in the country.
P Gowrishankar of Kalinga Foundation trained 30-odd range forest officers and a number of forest guards and snake rescuers to catch the reptile, and provide first aid in case of snake bite. They were provided with cobra hooks, bags to catch the slithering snakes, snake bagger and a book.
UD Naik, assistant conservator of forest, Dandeli, told TOI that the department regularly gets calls from residents when snakes come visiting their homes. "We didn't have enough rescuers in the department and had to depend on locals. The training has helped us get department officials to catch snakes.''
S Balakrishna, ACF, Anashi range forest, said he will use his trained staff not only to rescue King Cobras but also educate locals on their conservation through posters and school visits.
ND Reshma, forest watcher, Anshi range, felt there's a need to educate people on conservation of King Cobras. "The training has helped me understand the lifestyle of these reptiles and how to catch them.''
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