Mangaluru: As king cobras are listed as a vulnerable species and their populations are thought to be on a decline, National Environment Care Federation (NECF) State Secretary Shashidhar Shetty has written a letter to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Karnataka C Jayaram and urged him to construct corridor for king cobras, on Monday, October 15.
In his letter, Shashidhar Shetty listed out some of the major reasons like encroachment of forests, destruction of water in forest, dumping of glass and plastic bottles in forest area by the truckers, use of chemicals in farming activities in the surrounding areas of Western Ghats and Malnad region among others for decline in the population of king cobra. Shetty also mentioned in his letter that the decreasing population of rabbit, rat among others also is another reason for the decline in the population of king cobra as it is the main source of food for king cobras. The development works in the Western Ghats by using excavators and miners have also led to the destruction of king cobras, according to him.
As corridors are being constructed to protect the species of tigers and elephants, the same should be constructed to protect the species of king cobra. Besides that, awareness programmes should be organised by the government in order to protect the king cobras, Shetty mentioned in his letter.
The letter is also sent to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environmental Department R Shankar and opposition leader B S Yeddyurappa.
