Due to the close proximity of Haridwar city to the Rajaji national park and other wooded areas, various wild animals moving in areas populated by humans is not uncommon here. Apart from the mammals, there are also different species of snakes in the region.
It is here too that the forest department is playing a proactive role by rescuing snakes that enter human habitations. The timely action of the department staff prevents harm to both the humans and the serpents.
One of the major responsibilities of the divisional forest office is to take necessary action on reported conflict situation between a human and a snake or a wild animal.
When it comes to snakes, Bhola Ram is the person who attends to the calls from citizens.
He used to look after routine work in the forest department office in the past but after learning the necessary skills has become known as ‘snake man’ among the locals.
Talking to The Pioneer, he said, “I used to the work in the department office. However, once when I accompanied the snake catching team, it occurred to me that I too could do this task. After learning the basics among experienced officers, I too started catching snakes. Now, I rescue an average of two to three snakes a day or about 100 snakes a month due to which some people know me as ‘snake man’.”
Bhola Ram routinely rescues various venomous and non-venomous snakes including the Russell's viper, cobra, common krait and other species. The forest division has also felicitated him in the past for efficiently rescuing snakes and resolving human-wildlife conflict situations.
Talking about him, the Haridwar divisional forest officer Akash Verma said that Bhola Ram is a capable person who is playing an important role in the department.
Currently, he is working on a contract basis and has been given a place in the rescue squad.