Recently, one adult king cobra smuggled from Odisha was detected by the Maharashtra Forest officials and the reptile was returned to Odisha. This is not the first time the reptiles were smuggled from Odisha to other States and outside the country. In Odisha, hunting of mammals like elephants, tigers, leopards, pangolins and porcupines is going on along with that of certain reptiles like crocodiles, snakes, geckos, turtles, tortoises, terrapins, etc for a long time. Odisha is very rich in reptiles, but if the unrestricted hunting goes on, time is not far when the whole stock or resources will exhaust.
There are 6,000 types of reptiles in the world. The rapid clearance of the habitat of such animals such as natural forests, water bodies, swamps, all type of wetlands, forest fire etc leads to extinction of these species. Generally, the reptiles live on land and water. When the natural eco-systems are under denudation due to industrialization and urbanisaton, reptiles are perishing. All the reptiles lay eggs. The forest fire damages their eggs and restricts the growth of their population.
Very recently, a forest fire occurred in Balukhand Konark Sanctuary of Puri beach. This coast is a natural eco-system with some modifications made to favour the local factors and problems. In the estuarine eco-system, the casuarinas and cashew species have been introduced by man as these species have protective as well as productive values. The protective values means the species protect the human habitations, agricultural fields as well as the habitats wild creatures. Different kinds of mammals, rodents and reptiles with other creatures like ground birds are staying in this sanctuary.
The animals such as spotted deer, black buck, stripped hyena, jungle cat with different types of reptiles are prominently seen in the estuarine habitat. Different types of lizards, frogs and ground birds are seen in the land, which are prime food of reptiles like cobra groups. The total area of the sanctuary is 71.72 sq km. The marine drive road runs through the sea coast making it an attraction for the tourists. It is very prone to fire accident. Now the fire season is coming, so the fire protection measures are needed to be taken to protect the eco system.
This is a very old sanctuary and protected from British regime, but it is very lately notified by the State Government of Odisha on April 23, 1984. This can be told as sanctuary of reptiles. The reptiles like Olive Redley turtles, tortoises and terrapins are seen in the sanctuary. Other than turtles, the common monitor lizard, water monitor lizard, common garden lizard, Indian chameleon and snakes like python, cobra, viper, krait, green vine snake and rat snakes are noticed very frequently.
Not only the Balukhand-Konark, there are other sanctuaries in the State, where the reptiles like different kinds of snakes are noticed.
The sanctuaries like Bhitarakanika, Chandaka- Damapada, Debrigarh, Hadagarh, Karlapat, Khoksuni, Kothan- Sunabeda are famous for king cobra and other types of cobras. The cobras are very common in Odisha forests. The scientific name of king-cobra is “Najahannah” and in Odisha it is known as Hahiraj.
During 1965 after returning from forestry training, as an Assistant Conservator of Forest of the Keonjhar Forest Division, the writer spotted a king cobra from Hadagarh Forests of Keonjhar Division which is a part of the Similipal Forests. The Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar forests are very famous for king cobra. The entire, Eastern Ghat range is famous for king cobra. The reptile is also found all over India, but it is found mostly in swampy locality.
This is also found in higher altitude. On an average, it grows up to 18 feet and the males are always longer. The snake is olive or light–black in colour with light yellow stripes in body. This reptile feeds mainly on poisonous and non poisonous snakes. It prefers scheduled areas, where there is least disturbance and always avoids the man. It raises its head often three feet in height and attacks the victim very aggressively. The mating of the reptile takes place in rainy months and eggs are laid in March and April during the fire season. The nest is made out of bamboo leaves and twigs. The snake prefers depression for incubation. It produces much more venom as compared to common cobra, because of its size in its bite; but it is not lethal.
Similarly the venom of cobra works against venom of king-cobra. As this species avoids human habitations, the occurrence of death of human being is rare through the bites by the reptile. Now the venom of this snake is much more priced for its medicinal values. Of 216 species of snakes, 52 are poisonous. Generally the ophidians are creeping animals, which are known as snakes. In India, the snake venom is in demand due to its medicinal use.
So, the king cobra was smuggled from Odisha to south for this reason alone. The king cobra is found in India, Burma and Malaya peninsula. So the protection of this species is very much needed from reptile smugglers and growing habitat loss.
The poisonous snakes are common krait, branded krait, black krait, coral snakes, slender coral snakes, cobra, king cobra etc. Besides all sea snakes, Russel’s viper, pit viper and bamboo pit viper are smuggled along with the poisonous snakes for venom and skin. So the administration should be alert to check the smuggling.
Not only poisonous snakes but also the nonpoisonous snakes and other reptiles are smuggled from Odisha. There is a racket of reptiles active in Odisha. The reptiles like Indian chameleon, garden lizard, rock agama etc are vulnerable of smuggling.
The animal parts are also smuggled from Similipal Tiger Reserve to Kolkata by poachers and traders. So the administration should be alert.
(The writer is a former forest officer and environmentalist, Mob: 9937460649)
