World Snake Day 2025 workshop focuses on snake identification and rescue at Assam Forest School
The programme gathered
Assam
Forest Department's frontline personnel to enhance their knowledge and capabilities in managing increasing snake-human encounters throughout the state.
Jayashree Naiding, Senior Wildlife Warden, Assam, opened the workshop. She addressed the increasing snake-related emergency calls, stemming from public fear and lack of knowledge.
She stressed the frontline responsibility of forest personnel in correctly identifying snake species, distinguishing between venomous and non-venomous varieties, and responding effectively without causing harm.
She also highlighted the challenges posed by exotic snakes being reported in the wild and advised on cautious, informed handling of such incidents. Referring to species like the Sand Boa, she urged participants not to sensationalise rescues of non-venomous snakes simply for publicity.
Distinguished herpetologist Dr. Jayaditya Purukayastha discussed prevalent snake-related myths. "The mindset problem is one of the biggest challenges in snake conservation," he said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
"Snakes are now among the most commonly rescued animals in some regions. Increased awareness has led to more reporting, but also demands better training and public education." He noted the increasing King Cobra encounters in Assam, warning about the potentially fatal consequences of incorrect snake identification.
Assam hosts approximately 70 snake species, including 15-plus venomous varieties such as the Indian cobra, monocled cobra, banded krait, and green pit vipers.
These creatures are vital to the region's ecosystem, controlling pest populations and maintaining natural balance. Snake venom, despite its dangers, offers significant medical benefits. It's essential for antivenom production and aids research into treatments for various conditions, including cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and strokes.
The speakers said that unfortunately, widespread misconceptions about snakes, including beliefs about revenge-seeking behaviour and milk consumption, result in unnecessary killings and hinder conservation efforts.
Technical sessions were led by
Prasanna
Kalita, President, Bonyabandhu, and his team, who conducted both theoretical and practical training. His sessions included identification of native snake species, first aid for snakebite victims, and ethical rescue demonstrations using props to simulate real-life situations.
Dr. Vinay Gupta, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam, attended the closing ceremony. He stated, "With rising human-snake encounters, frontline staff must be equipped with the right skills and tools. These workshops are not just necessary—they are crucial." He distributed specialised snake rescue equipment to six forest divisions.
The Forest School Director, Dimpi Bora, emphasised the significance of continuous training programmes in addressing evolving conservation challenges.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
DU UG admission 2025: First seat allotment list released for 71,624 seats at admission.uod.ac.in
Delhi University releases first UG allotment list for 2025–26 under CSAS-UG Delhi University UG admission 2025: Delhi University has released the first seat allotment list for undergraduate admissions for the academic session 2025–26. The list, made available at 5 PM, marks the beginning of the final phase of the Common Seat Allocation System for UG (CSAS-UG). According to official data, the university has made 93,166 seat allocations against a total of 71,624 available UG seats across 79 undergraduate programmes in 69 affiliated colleges. The higher number of allocations is based on previous admission patterns, which show that candidates often change colleges and courses during subsequent allocation rounds. Seat distribution and category-wise allocation The available 71,624 undergraduate seats span a range of disciplines including humanities, sciences, commerce, performing arts, and multidisciplinary programmes. Admissions have been made under various categories, including: Category Seats Allotted Single Girl Child 1325 Orphan (Male and Female) 259 – Orphan Girls 127 – Orphan Boys 132 Other Categories (UR, OBC, EWS, SC, ST, Sikh Minorities, PwBD, Kashmiri Migrants) Not separately specified High volume of early acceptances Within two hours of the seat allotment list going live, 27,533 candidates had already accepted their allotted seats. This is part of the structured CSAS-UG system where candidates are required to confirm their acceptance by 4:59 PM on July 21. Colleges will review and approve applications by July 22, and the deadline for fee payment is July 23. Performance-based programme seat allocations in later rounds Admissions to specific performance-based programmes will be carried out in the third round of seat allocation. These include: • BA (Hons) Hindustani Music • BA (Hons) Karnataka Music • BA (Hons) Percussion Music • in Physical Education, Health Education and Sports • Bachelor of Fine Art Candidates applying for these programmes are advised to check trial schedules on the respective college or department websites. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Details on score cut-offs and upcoming rounds Minimum scores and rank data used for allocations have been published on individual candidate dashboards. These details will also be made available on the official DU admission website. The second allocation list will be released at 5 PM on July 28. The new academic session is scheduled to commence on August 1. Direct link to download seat allotment list Candidates can access and download the Delhi University UG first seat allotment list for 2025 through the official admission portal: | Direct Link Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bihar Regiment marks 44th foundation day of its 21st battalion
1 2 3 Patna: Bihar Regiment Centre (BRC) marked the 44th foundation day of its 21st battalion at a function held on its ground in Danapur cantonment near Patna on Sunday. The 21st battalion of the Bihar Regiment was raised on July 20, 1981, under Lt Col. Mohd Mansoor Mallick. From its inception, the battalion bore the motto 'karam hi dharma hai' (duty is our religion), a creed it upheld across decades of challenging service, said BRC commandant Brig Kamal Deep Jaspal. The foundation day event began with the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the BRC war memorial by Brigadier Jaspal. Several retired officers and serving soldiers of the battalion had gathered to pay rich tributes to the martyrs. Brig Jaspal, while addressing the gathering, recalling the battalion's distinguished service record. "From the cold heights of Himachal to the hostile terrains of Uri, the 21st battalion has carried the flag of the Bihar Regiment high. Their resilience, valour and loyalty to the nation are an inspiration to every soldier," he said. The journey of the 21st battalion has been storied since its early years — from 1982 to 1985, it was in the mountainous terrains of Himachal Pradesh, honing skills and building camaraderie that would become the bedrock of its operational success. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo In 1990 during the height of insurgency in the northern theatre, the battalion was deployed for Operation Bajrang, a mission that required not just firepower but strategic restraint and deep engagement with local population. Their success earned widespread acclaim, the BRC commandant said. In addition the battalion's most intense years came during Operation Rakshak in Uri from 1999 to 2003, a volatile period marked by frequent encounters, infiltration attempts and extreme weather conditions. Yet the bravehearts of the 21st battalion never faltered, and neutralised numerous threats working closely with intelligence units to dismantle insurgent networks, the BRC officer said, adding in Sept 2014 they were once again called during Operation Alert, a high-stakes mission involving counter-insurgency and civil assistance during flood and internal disturbances.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
73 people killed waiting for humanitarian aid across Gaza, Palestinian Health Ministry says
The Palestinian Health Ministry said that 73 people were killed while waiting for aid at locations across Gaza on Sunday. The largest toll was in northern Gaza, where at least 67 Palestinians were killed while attempting to access aid entering northern Gaza through the Zikim crossing with Israel, according to the Health Ministry and local hospitals. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Project Management Product Management Data Science PGDM Healthcare Management Degree Digital Marketing Leadership Data Science Artificial Intelligence Operations Management Others Technology CXO healthcare Finance others Cybersecurity Design Thinking Public Policy MBA Data Analytics Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management Project Planning & Risk Analysis Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection Adaptive & Agile Project Management Portfolio Management Project Planning & Risk Analysis Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection Adaptive & Agile Project Management Duration: 6 Months IIT Delhi Certificate Programme in Project Management Starts on May 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management Project Planning & Risk Analysis Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection Adaptive & Agile Project Management Duration: 6 Months IIT Delhi Certificate Programme in Project Management Starts on May 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Project Planning & Governance Agile Software Development Practices Project Management Tools & Software Techniques Scrum Framework Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Programme in IT Project Management Starts on Jun 20, 2024 Get Details More than 150 people were wounded, some critically, hospitals said. It wasn't immediately clear whether they were killed by the Israeli army or armed gangs or both. But some witnesses said that the Israeli military shot at the crowd. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo The Israeli military didn't immediately make any comment. The Israeli military published new evacuation warnings for areas of central Gaza on Sunday, in one of the few areas where the military has rarely operated with ground troops. Live Events The evacuation cuts access between the city of Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the narrow enclave. The announcement comes as Israel and Hamas have been holding ceasefire talks in Qatar, but international mediators say there have been no breakthroughs. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed that expanding Israeli military operations in Gaza will pressure Hamas to negotiate, but negotiations have been stalled for months. Earlier this month, the Israeli military said it controlled more than 65% of the Gaza Strip. Also on Sunday, 65 Palestinians were killed, many while attempting to seek aid, according to local hospitals. Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiyah told The Associated Press that the hospital since Sunday morning had received 48 people who were killed and 150 who were wounded while seeking aid from trucks expected to enter Gaza from the Zikim Crossing, on the northern border between Gaza and Israel. He confirmed that at least 40 people of those killed were fatally shot. It is unclear whether they were killed by the Israeli army or armed gangs or both. However, that death toll is likely to increase, said Abu Selmiyah. In southern Gaza, Nasser hospital said 17 Palestinians were killed and 69 wounded around aid distribution sites in the southern city of Rafah. Cutting off access The area of Gaza under the evacuation order is where many international organizations attempting to distribute aid are located. The United Nations has been in contact with the Israeli authorities to clarify whether U.N. facilities in southwestern Deir al-Balah are included in Sunday's evacuation order, according to a U.N. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The official said in previous instances U.N. facilities were spared from evacuation orders. The evacuation announcement reaches from a previously evacuated area all the way to the coast and will severely hamper movement for aid groups and civilians in Gaza. Military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that the military will attack "with intensity" against militants. He called for residents, including those sheltering in tents, to head to the Muwasi area, a desolate tent camp on Gaza's southern shore that the Israeli military has designated a humanitarian zone. Gaza's population of more than 2 million Palestinians are in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Hamas triggered the 21-month war when militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Fifty remain, but fewer than half are thought to be alive. Israel's military offensive that followed has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many militants are among the dead but says more than half of the dead have been women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas government but the U.N. and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties. The Hostages Family Forum, a grassroots organization that represents many of the families of hostages, condemned the evacuation announcement and demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military explain what they hope to accomplish in the area of central Gaza, accusing Israel of operating without a clear war plan. "Enough! The Israeli people overwhelmingly want an end to the fighting and a comprehensive agreement that will return all of the hostages," the forum said. On Saturday night, during the weekly protest, tens of thousands of protesters marched in Tel Aviv to the branch of the U.S. Embassy, demonstrating for an end to the war. Humanitarian disaster grows On Sunday morning, ambulances in front of three major hospitals in Gaza sounded their alarms simultaneously in an urgent appeal to shed light on the hunger crisis in the territory. The health ministry posted pictures on social media of doctors holding paper signs about malnourished children and lack of medication. Zaher al-Wahidi, one of the spokespeople at the health ministry, said that at least nine children under 5 years old have died of malnutrition as of Sunday since the Israel's imposed aid entry blockade in March. He explained that tracking the number of people dying of starvation is hard because some could be suffering from other medical conditions that could be worsened when compounded with severe hunger. In northern Gaza, Shifa Hospital director Abu Selmiyah said that the hospital recorded 79 people who died of malnutrition in the past month. Israeli bombardments continued to pound the Gaza Strip overnight. Large explosions in northern Gaza were visible from Israel as plumes of fire shot into the sky.
