Latest news with #MahfoozSaifi
NDTV
4 days ago
- General
- NDTV
8 Snakes Rescued From UP House 2 Days After Villagers Kill 52 Serpents
Meerut: Two days after the residents of Samouli village in Meerut district killed 52 snakes that crawled out of the courtyard of a farmer's house, forest officials rescued eight snakes from the same house under the Daurala police station limits, officials said on Wednesday. According to the forest department, the non-venomous snakes were safely removed by a rescue team after they were found at the residence of Mahfooz Saifi on Tuesday night. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rajesh Kumar told PTI on Wednesday that the rescued snakes appeared to be of non-venomous species. "It is likely that the snakes laid eggs in the house earlier, which are now hatching in phases," Kumar said. Aditya Tiwari, a herpetologist who runs an NGO, said the snakes likely belonged to the checkered keelback species, a water snake. "This species is non-venomous, and a female can lay up to 40-50 eggs at a time," he said. The recurring incidents have triggered panic in the village, with locals demanding a permanent solution to the issue. The forest department has urged residents not to harm snakes and to report such sightings to the authorities immediately. Officials also reminded people that killing snakes is a punishable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, and strict action will be taken against the violators. On Sunday, the village witnessed a startling sight when more than 100 snakes crawled out of the courtyard of Saifi's house, triggering panic in the area. After the initial shock, the villagers joined Saifi and his family and killed as many as 52 snakes, which they buried in a pit. The DFO told PTI on Monday that a team was dispatched to the spot for investigation after a video of the incident went viral on social media. The snakes turned out to be creatures protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, he said.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Meerut: 8 snakes rescued from house where villagers killed 52 serpents on Sunday
Meerut , Two days after the residents of Samouli village in Meerut district killed 52 snakes that crawled out of the courtyard of a farmer's house, forest officials rescued eight snakes from the same house under the Daurala police station limits, officials said on Wednesday. According to the forest department, the non-venomous snakes were safely removed by a rescue team after they were found at the residence of Mahfooz Saifi on Tuesday night. Divisional Forest Officer Rajesh Kumar told PTI on Wednesday that the rescued snakes appeared to be of non-venomous species. 'It is likely that the snakes laid eggs in the house earlier, which are now hatching in phases,' Kumar said. Aditya Tiwari, a herpetologist who runs an NGO, said the snakes likely belonged to the checkered keelback species, a water snake. 'This species is non-venomous, and a female can lay up to 40-50 eggs at a time,' he said. The recurring incidents have triggered panic in the village, with locals demanding a permanent solution to the issue. The forest department has urged residents not to harm snakes and to report such sightings to the authorities immediately. Officials also reminded people that killing snakes is a punishable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, and strict action will be taken against the violators. On Sunday, the village witnessed a startling sight when more than 100 snakes crawled out of the courtyard of Saifi's house, triggering panic in the area. After the initial shock, the villagers joined Saifi and his family and killed as many as 52 snakes, which they buried in a pit. The DFO told PTI on Monday that a team was dispatched to the spot for investigation after a video of the incident went viral on social media. The snakes turned out to be creatures protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, he said.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Meerut farmer's courtyard turns serpent nest, 52 snakes killed in fear
As many as 52 snakes crawled out from beneath a ramp in a farmer's courtyard in Meerut's Simauli village on Sunday, triggering panic among residents and leading to their killing. The incident, captured in a purported video that went viral on social media, has prompted an investigation by the forest department. The incident unfolded at the residence of farmer Mahfooz Saifi, who first spotted a 1.5-foot-long snake in the open area (gher) near his house early Sunday morning. Saifi killed the snake out of fear, unaware that dozens more were hidden below the ramp at his front door. The video, widely shared online, triggered action from the forest department. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Rajesh Kumar confirmed that a team had reached Simauli on Monday to probe the matter. Kumar said that snakes are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and killing them is a punishable offence. 'It has come to light that the snakes were killed and buried without informing the department. They are protected creatures, and it is necessary to inform the forest department before taking any action,' Kumar said. Preliminary investigations suggest the snakes were non-venomous, commonly found in waterlogged areas like drains, but the department is probing further to determine the exact number killed and the location of their burial. The unusual occurrence has left Simauli residents shaken, with many still inspecting the area where the snakes appeared. While the forest department continues its inquiry, villagers remain anxious, uncertain if more reptiles remain beneath their homes.
