Unsung heroes: Meet Ranganath, a BMTC driver who has rescued over 4000 snakes in 30 years

Indian Express

4 days ago

In 1996, amidst the lush forests of Karnataka's Malnad region in Shivamogga district, a young Ranganath K joined 35 classmates from his government school for a reptile conservation trek. What began as an educational outing transformed into a lifelong mission for Ranganath, now 44, a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus driver and dedicated snake rescuer. Over the past three decades, he has saved 4,552 venomous and non-venomous reptiles, earning him widespread admiration. On May 19, 2025, Ranganath made his first international flight to Malaysia to receive his second honorary doctorate from American Wisdom Peace University, a testament to his extraordinary contributions.
Born into a farming family, Ranganath, the eldest among three children, was enrolled in a government school while his siblings attended private institutions. Ranganath was tasked with household chores like working in the fields and tending cattle. His life pivoted in 1996, while he was in Class 9, when an American family visited Sagara, Shivamogga, to research the region's evergreen forests and engage local people in reptile conservation. Ranganath and his classmates volunteered for the trek. 'I was terrified of everything — any animal would send me running,' he recalls. 'But that trek changed me. The Americans taught us about reptile conservation, snake identification, and safe handling, sparking a passion I didn't know I had,' Ranganath says.
This experience ignited a lifelong commitment to rescuing reptiles. After completing his SSLC (Class 10), Ranganath pursued a pre-university course at Sacred Heart PU College in Shivamogga, followed by a two-year industrial training programme at Sri Jagadguru Panchacharya Industrial Institute. During this time, he donated blood 33 times, once skipping an exam to save a woman's life. Fearing his family's disapproval, he fled to Bengaluru with Rs 1,000 and 20 kg of rice from his father, seeking a fresh start.
In Bengaluru, Ranganath took up menial jobs—cleaning public toilets, clearing drains, and collecting garbage—to survive.
He married in 2008, welcomed his first son in 2010, and secured a job as a BMTC driver in 2011. Stationed at Depot 32 in the North West zone, he operates the 242JA bus route between Ganakal and Shivajinagar, covering over 8 lakh kilometers in 14 years. Known affectionately as 'Ranganna' by passengers, he's a kind yet firm figure, reprimanding students for unsafe behaviour like standing on the bus footboard or disrespecting women. 'From corporators to MLAs, I've driven them all,' he says with pride.
Ranganath never rescues snakes during his driving shifts, reserving such efforts for nighttime calls. He recounts a harrowing incident: 'A water snake had entered a cattle shed. As I tried to catch it, it slipped onto a cow. I grabbed it just before it could bite the animal, but it struck my hand. Thankfully, it was non-venomous.' Such risky rescues are routine for him.
A three-month hiatus from snake rescuing, prompted by his family's superstitious concerns, led to financial strain and scarcity at home. 'We even ran out of rice,' he says. 'I realised then that this work is my calling, a divine blessing,' says Ranganath. He charges nothing for rescues, though some offer small sums for fuel.
Trained in traditional medicine, he also mentors his second son, a Class 8 student, in these practices back in Sagara. His advice for encountering a reptile? 'Stay calm and still. Snakes are shy—they only react to movement or vibrations. Just wait, and they'll retreat.'
His life's philosophy is equally straightforward: 'I want to earn people's love, not money. I want to be remembered for my service and character long after I'm gone.'
Ranganath's dedication has earned him accolades, including the Kannada Seva Ratna Award, the Kannada Rajyotsava Award, and an honorary doctorate from Asia International Culture Research University for his expertise in reptile conservation.
Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More