Onset of winter fails to halt snake activity in Tarai

By Our Correspondent,Butwal, Nov. 16: Winter has already begun, but venomous snakes, which usually retreat underground by now, are still being spotted in large numbers in the Tarai region.

According to snake rescuer Saru Kancha, calls for snake rescue operations continue almost daily, showing no sign of slowing down.

Typically, poisonous snakes are seen from April to mid-October in Tarai, after which sightings decline sharply as they go underground for hibernation. However, this year, even as winter sets in, rescuers remain busy responding to snake encounters.

The most recent case was in Charange, Devdaha Municipality-10 of Rupandehi district, where a King Cobra (Raj Goman) measuring 12 foot 3 inches long and weighing 7.2 kilograms was rescued after a three-hour operation.

According to rescuer Bishal Pandey, this is the first recorded sighting of King Cobra -- a species usually found in the hilly region -- in the Tarai area of Rupandehi. 

The giant snake was spotted on the roof of a cowshed and was safely rescued by a team including Saru Kancha, Bishal Pandey, Sagar Pandey and Bishwas Pandey. It was later released into a safe habitat in the presence of officials from the Rupandehi Division Forest Office.

Just two hours after the King Cobra rescue, another venomous snake, a Banded Krait, was rescued in Sainamaina Municipality-10, Saljhundi, following a call from locals. The snake was also safely released into the forest.

Rescuer Bishal Pandey said venomous snakes are still being seen nearby houses, possibly because they are seeking warm and safe spots before going underground as the temperature drops. He recalled rescuing 13 cobras in a single day last July in Tilottama, Rupandehi.

Saru Kancha has been rescuing snakes for the past six years, while Bishal Pandey has been doing so for four. They said public awareness about not killing snakes has grown significantly, keeping them constantly busy with rescue requests.

With increasing awareness, people are now more cautious and able to identify venomous snakes, leading to a noticeable decline in snakebite fatalities. According to Kancha, nearly 200 venomous snakes have been rescued this year alone.