Latest news with #mucosa
Time of India
18-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Aralam named butterfly sanctuary, rat snake proposal put on hold
Kochi: The state wildlife board, chaired by the chief minister, has on Wednesday approved the renaming of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, recognizing it as Kerala's first butterfly sanctuary. The board, However, deferred a decision on declaring the Indian rat snake (Ptyas mucosa), locally known as Chera, as the official state reptile. Some members opined that more detailed research is necessary before making such a designation. The renaming of Aralam Sanctuary honours its role as a major destination during the annual mass migration of butterflies, particularly the Albatross species, which arrive in large numbers. Experts attribute this phenomenon to the sanctuary's unique climate and the presence of host plants. Situated in the valley of the Brahmagiri mountain ranges, Aralam benefits from mineral-rich water flowing from the hills, which collects along the riverbanks. These minerals are vital for butterflies before breeding. "We have recorded 5,000 to 12,000 butterflies passing a single point in just five minutes," said a forest department official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo "More studies are needed on their migration routes and whether they return." Several other proposals were also discussed at the meeting. The board agreed to approach the Union govt to provide legal heirs an additional opportunity to declare wildlife trophies that remained undisclosed following the death of certified owners. A proposal will be submitted for the construction of a ropeway to transport goods from Pamba to the Sabarimala shrine. Approval was also granted for 21 quarries and several integrated production units located outside but within 10km of various wildlife sanctuaries and eco-sensitive zones across Kerala. As part of ongoing tribal development efforts, the board decided to recommend five community centres and five roads within the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary under the Forest Rights Act.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
‘Chera' no more common, set for official honour as state's reptile
Kochi: The ubiquitous 'chera' (Indian rat snake) is set for a promotion. The State Board for Wildlife, chaired by the chief minister, will consider the forest department's proposal on Wednesday to declare it as the state's official reptile in view of its ecological importance. The rat snake, Ptyas mucosa, is a non-venomous snake that plays a key role in controlling the population of rats. As a carnivore, it also consumes young venomous snakes. Known as a "friend of farmers", it has great conservation importance, reads the proposal for the board meeting. "We have an official state animal, state bird, state fish, butterfly, tree and so on, but we don't have an official reptile. That's why we proposed the rat snake. It will give more conservation value to that species, which in reality plays a high ecological value. Human habitations are its habitat, not forests," a forest official said. Biologist Sandeep Das said common people know that the rat snake is not dangerous and is, in fact, helpful to them. "It is actually a misconception that snakes are dangerous to humans. They control the rat population, which itself is caused by our mismanagement of waste disposal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo They bite people for defence when they feel threatened," he said. "Kerala witnesses nearly 200 snake bite incidents per day, but casualties are very few as we have better access to antivenom treatment. Despite this, some people resort to unscientific treatment for poisoning, which eventually results in deaths," he said, adding that the SARPA (Snake awareness, rescue and protection) app of the forest department plays a big role in creating awareness about conserving snakes. Kerala reported 71 snake bite deaths in 2019-20, which came down to 34 in 2023-24. India has around 350 species of snakes, and Kerala around 130. Of these, only 30 are venomous. Most casualties happen from the bites of the Big Four - spectacled cobra, common krait, Russell's viper and saw-scaled viper. Das said the bite of the hump-nosed pit viper also caused casualties. Surendran Karingad of Kozhikode, who has been rescuing snakes for over 20 years, said people should learn from reptiles to survive in adverse circumstances. "During the 2018 flood, I received calls to rescue snakes from houses or vehicles, but in the flood next year, most calls were to rescue snakes coiled around branches on top of trees. They somehow learned that they need to take shelter on top of trees to survive floods. I have also come across snakes holding their breath for 40 minutes to one hour in water bodies," he said. Surendran felt the population of chera had come down. "One can distinguish it from its body; its head is smaller than its body. There are black, yellow and green cheras, the colour they adapt to survive in their habitat. It is true that people killing snakes has come down. People get frightened when they notice a snake inside their house, and they call us immediately. I receive around 40 calls per month," he said. On getting a call, he would ask for details of the snake spotted. "We can find out if the snake is venomous if they describe the features. If it is venomous, we go there and rescue it. Otherwise, we ask the family to drive it out of the house," he said. The 15-member wildlife board, comprising forest officials, representatives of institutions like Zoological Survey of India, NGOs, experts and environmentalists, will also consider a proposal to rechristen the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary on its 25th anniversary. The renaming is proposed considering its role as a major host of migrating Albatross butterflies every year.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
'Rat Snake': Kerala Wildlife Board considers proposal to declare Ptyas mucosa official state reptile; helps control crop-damaging rats in farmlands
KOCHI: The state board for wildlife will consider the proposal for declaring the Rat Snake (Chera in Malayalam) as the official reptile of the state, considering its ecological importance. The Rat Snake, Ptyas mucosa, is a non-venomous snake that plays a key role in controlling the population of rats that damage agricultural crops in farmlands. As a carnivore, the Rat Snake also consumes young venomous snakes. Known as the 'friend of farmers', Rat Snakes have great conservation importance, notes the proposal at the board meeting to be convened on Wednesday. By declaring it as the official reptile of the state, it will help this species to be brought under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, which will give it the highest level of protection with the harshest penalties for violation. Currently, it is under Schedule 2 of the act, which gives the species a slightly lower level of protection. "There is a misconception that snakes are dangerous to humans and cause hardships for us. However, in reality, snakes control the rat population, which is itself caused by our mismanagement of waste disposal. Humans do not come under the food chain of snakes. They bite people for defence when they feel threatened. Regarding Rat Snakes, common people know Chera is not dangerous and is beneficial to them. Kerala witnesses over 100 to 200 snake bite incidents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Recommend: Eat 1 Teaspoon Tonight – Wake Up With a Flatter Stomach Hollywood News | USA Click Here Undo But casualties are very few as we have a good healthcare system with better access to antivenom treatment. Despite this awareness, some people resort to unscientific treatment for poisoning, which eventually results in the deaths of patients every year. Nowadays, the SARPA program of the Forest Department plays a big role in creating awareness of the importance of conserving snakes, and they soon call a rescuer for catching snakes," says Sandeep Das, Biologist. "We have an official state animal, state bird, state fish, butterfly, tree, and so on. But we do not have an official state reptile, and that's why we proposed the Rat Snake to be declared as the official state reptile. It will give more conservation value to that species, which in reality plays a high ecological value. Its habitat is human habitations, not forests," said a forest official. Besides this, the board will also consider a proposal to rechristen the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary to Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary on the 25th anniversary of the sanctuary. The renaming is considering its vital role in serving as a major host of migrating Albatross butterflies every year. The sanctuary witnesses a mass migration of butterflies between December and February because of the unique ecosystem.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Indian Rat Snake vying for official reptile of Kerala status
Indian Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa), regionally known as Chera, may be notified as the Official Reptile of Kerala. The State Board for Wildlife, which will meet next week, will consider a proposal for notifying the snake, also known as Manja Chera and Karinchera as the official reptile. Only 25% of all snakes are poisonous, and it's important to protect them, say snake lovers The non-venomous snake, which has been included in Schedule One of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, has been accorded the highest legal protection. The species, which is commonly found in human habitations, plays a major role in controlling the rodent population that damages agricultural crops including grains and tubers in fields and farmlands that spread infectious diseases. Rat Snakes, which are carnivorous, also consume the hatchlings of venomous and dangerous snakes, such as cobras, according to the proposal for notification. Rat snakes, also known as friends of farmers, have great conservation value and shall be protected by declaring it as the State Reptile. The species is found in most parts of the country including Andaman Island. Also read | How to make space for snakes The campaign also highlighted the aspect that most deaths in human-wildlife conflicts were owing to snake bites. The Forest Department has been utilising the service of trained and certified volunteers for handling snakes and has popularised a mobile application SARPA to prevent incidents of snakebite. Though the species has been categorised as a species of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species owing to its wide geographic range and relatively large population, 'it is heavily exploited for various uses throughout its range and has experienced high rates of decline in parts of its range.' The species may be threatened by overexploitation for food, skins, and medicinal purposes, as it is heavily traded and used throughout its range and is considered to have undergone significant population decline. 'The global population trend of the species is decreasing,' noted the assessment report. The snake is found in diverse habitats, including forests, forest clearings and edges, open tropical dry forests, savannas, scrublands, plantations, villages and cultivated areas. 'It feeds on rodents, but also eats birds, lizards, frogs and other snakes. It lays several clutches per year of up to 18 eggs,' according to the assessment report. The large-bodied snake, which is commonly found near human habitation, is consumed locally in parts of its range, especially in northeastern Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It is also sold alive in markets and used in the snake wine industry in Vietnam and traded for food, skins, and medicinal purposes in Indonesia, according to the Red List.
