Animal welfare body urges Hyderabad citizens to stop offering milk to snakes during Naga Panchami
The Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA) has appealed to citizens to refrain from practices that subject snakes to cruelty during
The Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA) has appealed to citizens to refrain from practices that subject snakes to cruelty during Naga Panchami, which will be observed on August 17. The animal welfare organisation urged people to observe the festival without harming snakes and specifically called for an end to the practice of offering milk to the reptiles, which it said was not part of their natural diet and could cause serious health problems.
GHSPCA has been rescuing, treating and releasing snakes into their natural habitats since 2005, particularly during Naga Panchami. According to the organisation, it has rescued 5,366 snakes during the festival over the years. It said snakes, particularly cobras, are sometimes illegally captured in the weeks preceding Naga Panchami and subjected to severe cruelty by snake charmers. Alleged practices include removing fangs, damaging venom glands, stitching or injuring the mouth, keeping snakes in dark and unhygienic conditions and depriving them of food.
The rescued snakes are often displayed in public and subjected to practices such as being made to consume milk or having kumkum and other substances applied to them. GHSPCA said it would conduct rescue and awareness operations during Naga Panchami in coordination with the Forest Department and other animal welfare organisations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In Hyderabad, GHSPCA and People for Animals volunteers are expected to conduct awareness and rescue activities in areas including Shalibanda, Hussaini Alam, Gowlipura, Begum Bazar, Doodhbowli, Lal Darwaza, Ramkoti, Moghalpura and Kamatipura.
Citizens can contact the Telangana Forest Department at 1800-425-5364 or GHSPCA at 88867-43881 and 93945-78568 for assistance.
The BriefWire