Hyderabad: Friends of Snakes Society (FOS), in coordination with the state forest department, has rescued seven snakes from snake charmers in Hyderabad and surrounding areas, ahead of Nag Panchami on Aug 17.Four spectacled cobras (Naja naja) were rescued from snake charmers at Maheshwaram on Aug 14. FOS members alerted Mankhal forest range officer J Prabhakar, who deployed forest beat officer Sai Varun to assist with the operation.The rescued snakes are being treated and monitored and will be released at suitable locations after recovery, with the permission and assistance of the forest department, the society said.FOS cautioned against using live snakes during Nag Panchami, saying their capture, possession and display can cause suffering and may violate wildlife protection laws. Snakes, particularly spectacled cobras, are sometimes illegally captured and kept in poor conditions to earn money during the festival.The society also urged devotees not to apply kumkum or turmeric to snakes or feed them milk. Snakes do not naturally consume milk, and forcing weakened or dehydrated animals to ingest it can cause serious health problems.Instead, FOS appealed to devotees to worship symbolic representations of snakes or visit temples without involving live animals, and urged people not to support snake charmers financially.The Indian cobra is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended. Unauthorised possession, handling or display of the species can attract criminal penalties. Offences involving Schedule I animals are punishable by three to seven years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹25,000. For repeat offences, the minimum fine is ₹1 lakh.Friends of Snakes Society asked the public to report illegal snake handling to the nearest police station, the Telangana Forest department toll-free number 1800-425-5364, or FOS at 83742 33366.
