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Chilling and thrilling

A unique concept that helps to understand and save both man and the creature, says S.S.KAVITHA

A hissing sound greets every visitor to Ramesh's house. You sense some reptile is slithering around.

Go closer to the sound and only shivers go down your spine. Indeed, there are snakes all over -- in glass boxes, yellow bags and mud pots in various hues and forms.

Holding a two-feet cobra with its twin-forked tongue ready to strike, Mr. Ramesh, says, "I love animals including snakes. My mission is to save them from people who kill them out of fear to save themselves from fatal bites."

P. Ramesh is a snake aficionado. He catches and leaves them in appropriate habitat, mostly the surrounding forests. He also trains people interested in saving snakes.

His love for snakes resulted in the formation of Nethaji Snake Research Centre' in 1999, helped by V. Vijay.

The centre has carried out lot of research works on its reproductive periods and symptoms of snakebites.

Training

Mr. Ramesh has even extended his activities and gives training to people who are interested in snakes and those who are interested in saving themselves from the fatal bites of the reptiles.

People who frequent these wilderness spots, as well as those who camp, go on picnic or live in snake inhabited areas are at potential risk of a strike by these silent creatures.

"Though the slimy and colourful curiosities are venomous causing death to human beings, they play an important role in the eco system," he says and adds that "training people saves both the lives of humans and snakes."

Superstitious beliefs

Along with training, the centre also concentrates on creating awareness on superstitious beliefs about snakes.

Like, snakes do not come out of their shelter for `Magudi' sound, they do not drink milk or eggs (for if it does so, it will die.) and cannot spit `Manikcam' because snake bites its every prey.

The centre divides its research memberships into four categories - snake researcher, field members, and medical research member and snake catchers.

The minimum educational qualification for snake researcher is a degree in zoology while for field members and medical research member it is plus-two or a degree.

No educational qualification is needed for snake catchers.

Friends

The research centre has over the years spread its wings and now in collaboration with the forest department rescues and releases wild animals into the forest.

The district forest office has given the centre a different identity. They call it the `'Friends of Forests.'

Now, volunteers are also involved in rescuing snakes from people who misuse snakes.

They also catch and release snakes that sneak into homes. The centre has established its branch offices all around Tamil Nadu. Just a call will remove the `unwelcome guest' of from any place.

As Friends of Forests, Mr. Ramesh and his team members release snakes into the forest within the stipulated time.

"It is considered as an offence if we continue to keep them at the centre without permission from the forest department officials." he says.

First aid

The centre also provides medical assistance (first aid) to villagers who suffer from snakebites.

First aid treatment lessens the speed of the venom spreading. The centre members provide - homeo, siddha and allopathic first aid medicine based on the body conditions of the bitten person.

The centre is striving hard to help students and common man understand and appreciate the sleek creatures.

"Youth have a big role to play in making the earth a better place for all living things," is it not?, says Mr. Ramesh as a parting shot.

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