Forest Department holds training programme for snake rescuers
The training was held a day after the unveiling of the Naagam app, which is aimed at promoting the safe and scientific rescue of snakes and raising public awareness about the reptiles.
Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, who inaugurated the World Snake Day event, unveiled the app and launched the training programme in the presence of Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden, H. Venuprasad, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Ritto Cyriac, Director of Arignar Anna Zoological Park, and Pramila Rajan, Director of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. The Forest Department has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust to manage the app and conduct training sessions for rescuers.
According to Ms. Sahu, Tamil Nadu is home to 142 species of snakes, yet misconceptions and fear about snakes persist. The reptiles are, in a way, the silent architects of the forest ecosystem, she said, adding that there was a need to shift public perception through awareness and education. The training focused not only on snake-handling techniques but also on soft skills such as effective communication, especially when engaging with the public during rescue operations.
Gnaneswar Ch, project lead, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, said a key feature of the Naagam app was its ability to systematically record snake rescue operations, in addition to allowing the public to request rescues. 'At present, snake rescues are not formally regulated or monitored. This app provides the Forest Department with a much-needed tool to oversee these operations, including live tracking of rescues and verification of snake release locations,' he said. The app is expected to be made available to the public in the coming months.
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