Indian snake charmers have threatened to let loose thousands of snakes in eastern Bhubaneshwar city, alleging harassment by wildlife officials, it was reported on Thursday.
While the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 bans the catching of snakes, the practise thrives. Conservationists say before the Act came into effect, about 10 million snakes were being killed every year for their skin.
Snake charmers trap and do not kill the snakes. But most of eventually die of poor health.
About 600 families of snake charmers in the eastern Indian state of Orissa claimed they were forced to give up their livelihood and were repeatedly arrested for violating the strict wildlife Act.
They threatened to release more than 5 000 snakes in the state assembly building, the Telegraph newspaper reported.
”Our livelihood depends on catching snakes and displaying them in public. If it is stopped, what will we do?” asked snake charmer Chittaranjan Das.
Once the snake is trapped, its fangs are removed. Its health suffers because of mouth infections from the venom removal.
When the snakes grow weak they are released into the wild, a report from the Wildlife Trust of India — a leading conservation organisation — said. Without its fangs the reptile is unlikely to survive in the wild.
Orissa’s snake charmers claim they worship the reptiles. ”We look after them like our children,” said Das. ”We catch poisonous snakes that intrude into households, tend to them in our homes and earn our livelihood by performing public shows.” – Sapa-DPA