Rajasthan
Depleting pastures forces snakes to stray into human settlements | Jaipur News
JAISALMER: The Thar desert is witnessing a unique phenomenon this monsoon as a barrage of rare species of snakes are being sighted at regular intervals. However, experts believe this is not a good sign for ecological balance.
Species like Indian cobra, Asian sand snake and red spotted royal snake and Pivna are being sighted in the desert areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer. According to experts, though snake sightings are common due to increase in humidity and monsoon, rare species coming out in the open is something new and the major reason behind this is the depleting pasture lands, which are being allotted by the state government for setting up solar and wind energy parks.
These projects are affecting the habitat of snakes as a large number of khejadi and ker trees are being cut. Apart from regular sightings, many areas areas are reporting an average of 8-10 cases of snakebites daily, said an expert.
Due to misbeliefs and lack of knowledge, snakes are killed by human beings. In Thar desert, there are around 20 species of snakes and only one third are venomous.
Due to loss of habitat there has been an increase in human-snake conflicts, said Shyam Sunder Meena, assistant professor in zoology. “Snakes play an important role in ecological balance of Thar as they feed on rodents which cause great loss to humans by destroying their crops, stored grains and edible food resources. Rodents also damage water reservoirs by making burrows in its walls,” Meena added.
Species like Indian cobra, Asian sand snake and red spotted royal snake and Pivna are being sighted in the desert areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer. According to experts, though snake sightings are common due to increase in humidity and monsoon, rare species coming out in the open is something new and the major reason behind this is the depleting pasture lands, which are being allotted by the state government for setting up solar and wind energy parks.
These projects are affecting the habitat of snakes as a large number of khejadi and ker trees are being cut. Apart from regular sightings, many areas areas are reporting an average of 8-10 cases of snakebites daily, said an expert.
Due to misbeliefs and lack of knowledge, snakes are killed by human beings. In Thar desert, there are around 20 species of snakes and only one third are venomous.
Due to loss of habitat there has been an increase in human-snake conflicts, said Shyam Sunder Meena, assistant professor in zoology. “Snakes play an important role in ecological balance of Thar as they feed on rodents which cause great loss to humans by destroying their crops, stored grains and edible food resources. Rodents also damage water reservoirs by making burrows in its walls,” Meena added.
