Conservation of snakes important to maintain balance in ecosystem: Devojit Moran

HT Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, June 27: Snakes play an important role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. People often kill snakes if they enter their homes, but now things are gradually changing in some parts of upper Assam after Devojit Moran, a conservationist of Tinsukia district and his team started creating more awareness on snake conservation.

So far Devojit Moran has rescued over 100 poisonous snakes from various locations of Tinsukia.

Moran is also known as the ‘snake catcher’ in the area because he is skilled in the art of catching snakes. After catching them, he releases them into the wild.

Recently, Devojit rescued a King Cobra from Koliamati area of Kakojan forest and released it into the wild.

“So far I have rescued many poisonous snakes from different areas of Tinsukia and released them into the wild. Not only snakes, I have rescued many animals from different locations of Tinsukia and successfully set them free in the presence of forest officials,” Moran said.

Moran said, “For the first time we spotted a Pit Viper in Digboi, which was later rescued and released into the woods. Snakes are important for a balanced ecosystem.”

Devojit Moran and his team are always ready to rescue snakes and other animals in Tinsukia.

“Many people often call us during the night to rescue snakes from their houses. We have rescued many snakes from the homes of the residents at night. I have taken my training from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to catch snakes,” Moran said.

Devojit Moran is secretary of Green Bud Society, an environmental NGO active in upper Assam Tinsukia district.

“We are creating awareness about snakes. In village areas, people generally kill snakes. We urged people to not kill them. People don’t know much about snakes and they often think that all snakes are poisonous without identifying them. Proper identification of snakes is important for this very reason,” Moran said.