Snakebites up in desert areas as reptiles abandon hideouts due to deforestation

Jaisalmer: Increasing solar and windmill projects in the desert areas are affecting the habitat of snakes. Chopping down of a large number of Khejadi and Ker trees have forced snakes out of their hideouts leading to increasing incidents snakebites in Jaisalmer. Poaching of lizards has also increased as its oil is in high demand in India and abroad.
Ecologist & member of Degrai Oran Sumer Singh Bhati said that lands are being allotted in many areas in the deserts of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur to windmill and solar energy companies. With setting up of new plants, it is creating danger for wildlife. Spiny lizards, desert cats and many kinds of snakes that live in holes in the desert are now found roaming out in the open.
Zoology assistant professor Shyam Sunder Meena said Jaisalmer is very rich in biodiversity and various kinds of rare animals are present in Thar Desert. “Due to the loss of habitat and increase in human population, human-snake conflicts have increased leading to loss of population of these beautiful creatures,” he said.
He said, “Snakes play an important role in ecological balance of Thar Desert as they feed on rodents which may cause great loss to humans by destroying their crops, vegetables, fruit plants, stored grains and edible food resources. Rodents may destroy natural water reservoirs by making burrows in its walls.”
Ecologist Parth Jagani said solar and wind energy plants have led to the uprooting of Jaal, Ker, Khejaree, Ber, Aak, Kheep and other shrubs & herbs. This has led to wildlife losing their habitat very rapidly.
Wildlife enthusiast Radheyshyam Pemani said industrial development in Thar Desert has affected the ecology of the desert area, especially hundreds of trees being cut in pasture lands and snakes under the trees are forced to come in open.
ERDS Foundation Sanstha honorary scientist consultant Dr Sumit Dukia said on the name of plantation in the desert, plants of autumn forest and rain forest have been planted due to which the local vegetation gets harmed along with other elements of environment that are dependent on these vegetation are also suffering loss.