GHSPCA urges public to protect snakes, avoid cruelty on Naga Panchami

Ahead of Nag Panchami on July 29, GHSPCA has urged citizens to refrain from harming snakes and report illegal snake charmers. With help from the Forest Department, the group has rescued over 5,200 snakes during the festival over the past two decades.

Hyderabad: With Nag Panchami being celebrated on July 29, Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA) on Friday urged people to avoid hurting snakes and keep a watch on snake charmers.

For nearly two decades, the GHSPCA has been actively involved in rescuing, treating and releasing back snakes that are harmed or injured during Naga Panchami. In the process, so far, the animal welfare organization has rescued 5, 276 snakes during the festival.

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“One or two months before Nag Panchami, cobras are caught by snake charmers and tortured. Their fangs and poisonous glands are forcefully removed and mouths are stitched. They are kept in closed dark rooms without any food. Many snakes die and the remaining ones are brought to public during Nag Panchami and are fed milk. After a while, these snakes die due to indigestion,” says coordinator, GHSPCA, Soudharm Bhandari.

The GHSPCA in collaboration with Forest Department and other animal welfare organizations in TS and AP, especially in Greater Hyderabad have been doing raids and rescues in order to prevent and rescue snakes every year on Nag Panchami festival day.

“Due to consistent advocacy, the number of snakes rescued during Nag Panchami has decreased from over 200 to just 11 in 2024. Every year, our volunteers rescue snakes on Nag Panchami day in areas like Shalibanda, Hussaini Aalam, Gowlipura, Begum Bazar, Doodhbowli, Lal Darwaja, Ramkoti, Mogalpura and Kamatipura,” he said.

Hurting snakes through such acts is a crime and a non-bailable offence under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 if anyone does or follows is punishable.

To alert GHSPCA for the forest department: 18004255364/ 8886743881,9394578568/ 9490149601.