Latest news with #G20GlobalLandInitiative
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Amazing Courage": Shashi Tharoor Praises Kerala Forest Officer Who Rescued King Cobra
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday praised a young Forest Beat Officer, who rescued a massive king cobra in Kerala. GS Roshni, from the Paruthipalli Range under Kerala's Forest Department, was seen in a video capturing the venomous snake using only a hook and a sack. The dramatic clip shows her battling the powerful reptile for six tense minutes before safely securing it. On X, Shashi Tharoor commended Ms Roshni's act. Sharing the video, he wrote, "Amazing courage and competence on display by Forest Officer Roshni! Calling on the Kerala Govt to recognise her exemplary service appropriately." The snake reportedly slithered into a residential area in Anchumaruthumoot, Peppara, near Thiruvananthapuram, where locals spotted it while bathing in a nearby stream. Responding swiftly, Ms Roshni reached the spot and carried out the rescue operation. The Thiruvananthapuram MP also called for the need to acknowledge such acts of dedication in government service, "Such bravery in the line of duty too often is taken for granted and remains unappreciated." Amazing courage and competence on display by Forest Officer Roshni! Calling on the Kerala Govt to recognise her exemplary service appropriately. Thanks for pointing this out @Rajan_Medhekar! Such bravery in the line of duty too often is taken for granted and remains… — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 7, 2025 Muralee Thummarukudy, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) also acknowledged her efforts. In a Facebook post, Mr Thummarukudy expressed deep respect for the officer, particularly after learning that this was her first time rescuing a king cobra. "There is a lack of familiarity. Tool falls out of hand while dealing with snake. The people standing by are telling the snake to please, get in. It is only when you start climbing that you realize that the snake is a little bigger or the bag is a little smaller. Despite all this, that officer never loses confidence. Congratulations," he wrote. G S Roshni, a Forest Beat Officer with nearly eight years of experience, has handled over 800 snake rescues, including venomous and non-venomous species, as per PTI. This was her first direct encounter with a king cobra. Ms Roshni was part of a five-member Rapid Response Team dispatched after locals raised an alarm upon spotting the reptile near a frequently used bathing spot.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Watch: Kerala woman officer catches giant Cobra with bare hands; Netizens say women scared by lizards should learn from her
G S Roshni, a Kerala Forest Department officer, rescued a large king cobra from a stream. The rescue video went viral, drawing both praise and criticism. Some viewers admired her bravery. Others raised concerns about safety protocols and the lack of protective equipment. A UN official also commented on the need for better safety measures for wildlife officers. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Rescue completed in six minutes Online response highlights admiration and safety concerns Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads UN official calls for better safety measures Rescue underscores both skill and risks A video of Beat Forest Officer G S Roshni rescuing a 15-foot-long king cobra from a stream near Peppara in Kerala is going viral on social media . The incident, which took place on Sunday, marked Roshni's first rescue involving a king cobra in her nearly eight-year-long career with the Kerala Forest Department . She has handled over 800 venomous and non-venomous snakes during her part of a five-member Rapid Response Team (RRT), responded to calls from locals who spotted the snake near a stream commonly used for bathing in Anchumaruthumoodu, on the forest to Roshni, the snake was caught around 12:30 p.m. and was later released into the deep forest. 'It was a mature snake. It was about 14–15 feet long and weighed approximately 20 kilograms,' she told PTI. She added that such sightings are rare in southern Kerala, which made this her first encounter with a king footage showed the officer alone, using a long hooked stick and a cloth bag, securing the snake's tail and eventually coaxing it into the bag after several minutes. At one point in the video, she could be heard saying 'please' to the cobra as it resisted entering the bag. The entire process was completed in six rescue video drew widespread attention online, leading to both commendation and criticism. One viewer commented, 'Women who get scared by lizards and cockroaches should learn from her.' Another noted the lack of on-site assistance, saying, 'Big salute ma'am. I don't see anyone standing with her, offering to hold the bag or help her. Everyone is sitting in the gallery and commenting.'Others expressed concern about safety protocols. Some users pointed out 'several mistakes' and advised Roshni to be more cautious, calling her 'inexperienced' in handling such dangerous Thummarukudy , Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), also commented on the incident. In a Facebook post, he acknowledged his respect for Roshni, especially after learning it was her first king cobra he noted signs of inexperience, including instances where tools slipped from her hands during the operation. 'Despite that, her confidence does not go away,' he also highlighted the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE) among Forest Department personnel when handling venomous snakes. He urged the department to identify minimum PPE requirements, make them part of regular training, and ensure their availability. 'Personal protective equipment is not for those who are less courageous or trained, but for everyone who has knowledge and responsibility,' he incident has reignited discussions about safety standards for wildlife officers in India. While Roshni's composure and effectiveness have drawn admiration, the episode also illustrates the need for institutional support and protective protocols for personnel engaged in high-risk continues to serve as a member of the Kerala Forest Department's Rapid Response Team, committed to wildlife rescue and conservation across the region.(With inputs from PTI)
