Hassan: “The snakes that are important link in the life network, if not protected, there will be disturbances,” said Snake Naresh.
He was delivering au lecture at Model English High School, Uppally on the theme of Raithamitra Uraga organised by Kipling Scout Guide Squads as part of World Wildlife Day celebrations. “Only a few snakes are poisonous and usually when they bite most of the times it is not deadly. Infact many people die of heart attack due to fear and anxiety instaad,” he said.
“Don’t try to kill snakes as soon as you see them. The experts should be called in and they should be caught and released to the protected forest area,” he advised.
He said that one day we may have to die without food because of the destruction of those innocent animals relentlessly. Though the king cobra is highly poisonous, statistics show that the death toll due to its bite is on the lower end. They would only try to bite when they think that there might be some danger to them, he added.
“Don’t pay heed to false information or superstitions about snakes drinking milk, taking revenge, hitting with the tail, and aiming at the eye,” said M.N. Shadakshari, Head of the School.
“Snakes are a farmer’s friend from the biological control point of view as they enter the burrows and eat rats, and mouse which spoils our food. The snake as Naga deity has been worshipped since the time of the Puranas,” he said.
“Knowledge and love for the environment should be developed from an early age. Not buying the products made of wild animals is the first step In protecting the environment,” he suggested.
The students resolved their doubts about snakes by asking questions and the experts explained their characteristics by pointing to a cobra and rat snake that they had just caught. Children and teachers touched the rat snake and became fear-free. Headmaster Yogesh and other school staff were present on the occasion.
