Latest news with #KeralaForestDepartment
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
About 1,000 educational institutions covered under 'SARPA Padam' awareness programme on snakes
About 1,000 educational institutions in the State have been covered under 'SARPA Padam,' a snake-related awareness program launched by the Kerala Forest Department this year. The idea is to cover all educational institutions ranging from anganwadis to colleges during this academic year. As per the General Education Department's data, there are 36,000 educational institutions up to higher secondary level in Kerala. 'SARPA Padam,' is an extension of department's initiative SARPA, Snake Awareness Rescue and Protection App, a digital platform for various matters related to snakes and snake bites. 'We have trained a group of 70 educators to conduct the hour-long awareness classes in educational institutions. This include both the staff of the forest department including social forestry wing and volunteers. We are in the process of training additional batches of educators. We have prepared a compact digital content complete with power point presentation for the educators to follow a uniform content and to cover all crucial aspects during the class,' said Muhammed Anvar, assistant conservator and State nodal officer for SARPA, Kerala Forest department. The content among other things cover the ecological significance of conserving snakes, different species of snakes, how to recognise dangerous species, different types of venom and anti-venom, how to avoid snake bite, do's and dont's in the event of bite etc. A safety audit for the possible presence of snakes was held under SARPA in educational institutions, including anganwadis, ahead of the start of the academic year and snakes were indeed caught from some places. 'We gave instructions to remove building materials found carelessly dumped providing safe haven for snakes near areas with frequent movement of students, clean up premises, including even parts of grounds, to protect children going to fetch balls, remove tree branches and plants hanging over school roofs, especially tiled ones, properly lock doors and windows, and keep the areas near computer labs clean since snakes could snuggle into footwear, which students are asked to remove before entering labs,' said Mr. Anvar. Apart from educational institutions, awareness classes are also held for other vulnerable target groups like workers participating in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Program, Kudumbashree members, farmers etc.
The Hindu
05-08-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu records 1,303 Nilgiri Tahrs in second synchronised survey
Tamil Nadu has recorded an estimated 1,303 Nilgiri Tahrs in the second annual synchronised population survey conducted in April 2025, done in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department. The survey report was released on Tuesday by Forests Minister R.S. Rajakannappan, alongside Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, Srinivas R. Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), and Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden, and Yash Veer Bhatnagar, country representative (India) of International Union for Conservation of Nature, at the Guindy National Park. At the same event, the Kerala Forest Department also released its corresponding report on the Nilgiri Tahr population within its jurisdiction. Kerala's Minister for Forest and Wildlife Protection, A.K. Saseendran, and Pramod G. Krishnan, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Kerala, joined the launch virtually. This year's synchronised survey covered 177 blocks in Tamil Nadu — 36 more than in 2024. A total of 3,126 kilometres were covered on foot by 786 dedicated field staff. 'Tamil Nadu's estimated Nilgiri Tahr population has increased to 1,303, up from 1,031 recorded the previous year. This does not imply a population increase but rather a higher rate of observed encounters,' said M.G. Ganesan, Project Director of Project Nilgiri Tahr. Out of the total, 616 individuals — which makes up almost half of the population at 47.3 percent — were found in large, contiguous habitats across 14 blocks. The Grass Hills National Park and Mukurthi National Park are the primary strongholds, with Grass Hills recording 334 Tahrs (up from 276 in 2024) and Mukurthi showing 282 individuals (up from 203 last year). The remaining 687 Tahrs, comprising 53 percent of the population, were found in fragmented habitats spread across 163 blocks, including areas intersected by roads and tea estates. The survey also observed an estimated 155 Nilgiri Tahrs forming a transit population moving towards Kerala's Eravikulam National Park. Notably, this year's survey included a detailed threat assessment for the first time, which is set to provide insight into the conservation challenges faced by the species. Mr. Bhatnagar said that understanding movement ecology was extremely important. 'Ecology is not just about calculating home range sizes for males, females, or juveniles within a population. It involves understanding the actual routes animals take across a landscape — how they use different types of habitats, the seasonal patterns in their movement, and the environmental features that influence their paths. The survey was carried out with the support of IUCN, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Animal Welfare Board of India (AIWC), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
India Today
24-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
How a pendant could get Suresh Gopi into jaws of law
Union Minister and veteran actor Suresh Gopi is under legal scrutiny after he was seen wearing a necklace allegedly with a leopard-tooth pendant, a potential violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. The Kerala Forest Department launched a probe into the matter after a Youth Congress leader, AA Muhammad Hashim, lodged a complaint with of a leopard tooth, a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, can attract a jail term of three to seven years along with a who filed the complaint with the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Thrissur in June, which was forwarded to the Pattikkad Range Forest Officer, demanded the confiscation of the alleged pendant and a scientific analysis to verify whether the ornament indeed contained a real leopard tooth. In his complaint, Hashim had stated that he had seen TV visuals of Gopi wearing the ornament at two functions, one in Thrissur and another in KannurThe Pattikkad Range Forest Officer had summoned Hashim to record his complainant, who is also an office-bearer of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), sought the confiscation of the pendent as he recorded his statement with Kerala's forest officials on Monday, July 21, reported The Hindu also urged authorities to verify when the ornament worn by the actor was created, apprehending that the ornament could be "manipulated", according to the bolster the investigation, the complainant provided media footage from TV channels showing Gopi wearing the ornament alleged to be made of leopard tooth and requested access to original videos to verify the authenticity of the DERELICTION OF DUTY: HASIM IN COMPALINT AGAINST SURESH GOPIHashim contended that Gopi's actions were a clear violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In the complaint, the Congress functionary argued that Gopi, the Minister of State Petroleum and Natural Gas in the Union Cabinet, must explain the origin of the alleged leopard tooth necklace, according to a report in a Kozhikode-based news outlet, argued that someone sworn to uphold the law cannot be seen flouting it, calling the act a serious breach of constitutional Pattikkad Range Forest Officer, after issuing a notice to the complainant to appear before him to record his statement, said that any further steps in connection with the complaint would be taken after verifying the complainant's statement and any documents or evidence he gives, reported news agency GOPI LIKELY TO BE SUMMONED: REPORTFollowing the registration of the complainant's statement, The Hindu report added, the Kerala Forest department will issue a notice to Gopi asking him to produce the pendant and appear before the Divisional Forest Officer, Thrissur, for an Lok Sabha MP will be asked to explain the nature and source of the authorities will also examine whether the pendant allegedly worn by the BJP MP is an actual wildlife trophy or a synthetic forest department considers Suresh Gopi's in-person appearance crucial, as only he can provide direct information about the pendant in question, according to the will also have the option of filing a written statement to the questions raised by the enquiry future course of action will be decided after obtaining his statement, a highly-placed Forest Department source told The OF GOPI WEARING ALLEGED LEOPARD PENDENT WENT VIRALThe complaint was filed after the Kerala Forest Department in April arrested Malayalam rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) for allegedly wearing a leopard tooth incident reignited attention to previous controversies involving celebrities and wildlife items — notably, actor Mohanlal's long-standing case involving elephant tusks, and the recent visuals of Gopi wearing a pendant resembling a leopard tooth.A picture of Gopi wearing the alleged pendant resembling a leopard tooth went viral on social media after the Malayalam singer's told the Hyderabad-based news outlet South First that after Gopi was seen wearing the alleged pendant during his visit to a temple in Kannur in June, he later appeared at a public event in Thrissur wearing it again."Visual evidence has already been submitted to the state police chief," Hashim told the WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT SAYS ABOUT ANIMAL TROPHIESThe Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 states that only individuals with a valid certificate of ownership are permitted, after the Act's commencement, to acquire, receive, or possess any captive animal, animal article, trophy, or uncured trophy listed under Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II, unless it is per the Act, possessing a leopard tooth may attract a jail term of between three and seven years and a fine."The minister has not responded to the complaint. We have not received any request from the police or the Forest Department," Gopi's assistant told the South First in a report published on April the minister is yet to respond to the allegations.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Meet Dr. Roshini, Kerala only woman forest officer, who catches Kings Cobra, Pythons & Rat Snakes with bare hands
Roshni, a beat forest officer in Kerala, recently achieved a milestone. She rescued her first king cobra. Roshni is the only woman snake catcher in the Kerala Forest Department. She also earned a doctorate in social services. Roshni heads the Rapid Response Team. She has relocated about 800 snakes. Her work highlights the role of women in conservation. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Rare encounter with a king cobra Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Leading snake rescue efforts in the district Challenges and safety in snake rescue Mental strength and family support Roshni, a beat forest officer in Kerala for the past eight years, recently rescued her first king cobra, marking a significant moment in her wildlife rescue career. She is the only woman snake catcher in the Kerala Forest Department and part of the state's first batch of women forest rescue also comes at a time when Roshni has received a doctorate in social services from Global Human Peace University in Chennai, where she was awarded a gold medal for academic performance. She is a graduate in Botany and often posts updates from her professional and academic life on to The Indian Express, Roshni said, 'This is the first time I caught a king cobra. It had been my dream since I started as a certified snake rescuer in the department in 2019.' While king cobras have been handled by rescuers in other parts of Kerala, Roshni had not previously found one in Thiruvananthapuram.'While many snake catchers elsewhere in Kerala have rescued king cobras, I did not get such a chance in Thiruvananthapuram, where this species is rarely spotted,' she told The Indian currently heads the Rapid Response Team (RRT) at the Paruthippally forest range. Over her years in service, she has caught and relocated about 800 snakes—many of them venomous—from populated areas across the of the time, Roshni travels alone to attend to rescue calls. 'On most such occasions, there would be a snake in the trunk of the car or the storage of the scooter. I will be riding a scooter with a snake in the storage under the seat,' she said, as quoted by The Indian also does not use protective gear like gloves or gumboots when handling snakes, including venomous ones like the king cobra. 'It is risky to catch a king cobra mainly because of its length. When you catch the tail of a king cobra, its length enables it to swiftly turn against you and attack. To save itself, a king cobra can coil with its head and tail on a single point,' she what it takes to work in snake rescue, Roshni said, 'You need courage and presence of mind. Concentration is very important. We have to weigh our safety, the snake's safety, and that of the onlookers.''I enjoy catching snakes and have the support of my family. Many others have got trained over the years, but they might not have ventured into snake catching for want of support from family or courage,' she told The Indian work highlights the expanding role of women in frontline conservation efforts in Kerala. Her rescue efforts and academic journey reflect the importance of trained, courageous responders in managing human-wildlife interactions in the state.
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)
