Latest news with #SnakeHelpline
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Two held in Bargarh for painting image of Lord Jagannath on turtle's shell
BARGARH: Two youths, who painted an image of Lord Jagannath on a turtle's shell, were arrested by the Forest department on Tuesday on charges of violating the Wildlife Act. Both are from Bijepur. Ashish Meher had painted the turtle, while Abinash Bagarti filmed the act and shared it on social media. The incident came to light after a video of the act, posted on Meher's Facebook account, went viral. In the video, Meher was seen forcibly handling an Indian Flap Shell Turtle, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and painting its shell with synthetic colours. The turtle was later released into a water body without the paint being removed. General secretary of Snake Helpline Subhendu Mallik flagged the issue with principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha. Mallik pointed out that the act violated Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and provisions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. He also warned that such behaviour, when circulated on social media, could encourage similar acts by others for online fame. Acting on the complaint, the Forest department launched an investigation. Based on video evidence and further inquiries, both Meher and Bagarti were arrested and produced in court. The video, originally uploaded to Meher's Facebook page has since been deleted. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, offences involving Schedule I species can attract up to seven years of imprisonment, a fine of `1 lakh, or both. The Forest department has urged the public to act responsibly and refrain from acts that endanger wildlife or disrespect cultural and religious sentiments. Officials have also appealed to social media users to avoid creating content involving animals that violates ethical or legal boundaries.
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Social media influencer lands in soup for painting Lord Jagannath on turtle shell
BARGARH: A social media influencer of Bargarh district has landed in soup for painting an image of Lord Jagannath on the shell of a turtle before releasing it back into the water. In a formal complaint submitted to the principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) and the chief wildlife warden of Odisha, general secretary of Snake Helpline Subhendu Mallik accused social media influencer Ashish Meher of Bijepur of hunting an Indian Flap Shell Turtle, a Schedule-I species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. A video, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows Meher forcibly handling the turtle, painting its back with synthetic colours to depict Lord Jagannath, carrying the reptile on a bike, and eventually releasing it into a water body without removing the paint. 'This act is not only a clear violation of section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, but also breaches the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Moreover, since turtles are considered divine incarnation in Hindu belief, painting an image of Lord Jagannath on its shell in this manner and leaving it back in the river is disrespectful and deeply hurts religious sentiments,' said Mallik. The complaint called for Meher's immediate arrest, citing an earlier directive issued by the chief wildlife warden to take strict action against such offences. While wildlife activists said such videos may encourage others to commit similar acts for social media attention, the influencer with over 10,000 followers on Facebook has removed the video following the controversy.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Indian spectacled cobra, eggs rescued in Ganjam
B Tired of too many ads? go ad free now erhampur: In a 35-minute operation on Tuesday afternoon, snake rescuers saved an Indian spectacled cobra and its 17 eggs from a house in Samalai near Hinjili in Ganjam district. The cobra was found guarding its clutch of eggs near a tree along the boundary of the house. "The situation was particularly challenging because we had to ensure both the snake and eggs remained unharmed during the rescue," said Sandeep Kumar Sethi, one of the rescuers. The snake was released into the wild, while the eggs were handed over to forest officials. Berhampur DFO Sunny Khokkar said the eggs are being kept in a secured environment and are expected to hatch within 10 days. "We're monitoring the eggs closely," said Swadhin Kumar Sahu, another team member. Forest officials and Snake Helpline members are keeping a watch to ensure the eggs hatch safely.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
State to ready action plan to curb snakebite deaths
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR-RMRC) here on Wednesday hosted a brainstorming session to finalise a 'state action plan' for snakebite incidents. The initiative aims to address the critical challenge of snakebites, which continue to claim lives, particularly in rural and tribal regions. Odisha reported around 1,000 cases of snakebite every year, sources said. "The brainstorming session has brought together key stakeholders to consolidate inputs. Experts deliberated on the critical components of the action plan and outlined a comprehensive path forward for effective snakebite management in Odisha, as it is a high-burden state for snakebite," said Dr Srikanta Kanungo, scientist and nodal officer for the master of public health programme at ICMR-RMRC. Participants focused on five themes, including engaging and empowering communities, effective, speedy and timely treatment for snakebite victims, capacity building and collaborative effort for grassroots level workers, and reporting and data collection. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said, "The govt is worried about the increase in the number of snakebite deaths in the state. We are in the process of creating awareness on snakebite so that people will seek medical attention without delay. We are also empowering the health system so that snakebite victims get appropriate treatment. We have set a target to reduce the number of deaths by 50% before 2030." Emphasising the need for free and timely treatment for snakebite victims, Subhendu Mallik, general secretary of Snake Helpline, said, "If the first 4-5 days can be managed free of cost in private hospitals also, people will go to the first hospital with ICU facilities instead of a govt hospital, wasting precious time during the golden hour. Our govt is providing Rs 4 lakh compensation per each snakebite death. Why not then provide Rs 50,000- Rs 60,000 in the first 4-5 days and save the life of the snakebite victim?" Kanungo said, "We are expecting the state action plan to be ready before the monsoon so that many lives can be saved."
