Six arrested for smuggling snake-MIMBAI;and other stories

The Ulhasnagar Crime Branch on Thursday arrested six men who were trying to smuggle a Red Sand Boa (also known as Do-muha saap). Police plan to hand over the rescued reptile to the forest department. The Red Sand Boa commonly known as two-headed snake is sought after for its medicinal properties. Tantriks believe that the reptile brings in good luck and wealth.
Police caught the accused red-hand with the snake in an Ulhasnagar hotel. The snake is worth Rs 1 crore in the international market but the gang was selling it for just Rs 10 lakh.

Crime Branch officials from Ulhasnagar will hand over the rescued Red Sand Boa to the forest department Sunil Jadhav

They claimed that its venom is and an aphrodisiac and cures HIV/AIDS. The accused have been identified as Ramesh Kharat, Shailesh Gaikwad, Suhash Shinde, Vidhyanand Pawar, Shyamji Solanki and Pyarelal Rangar.

Senior Police Inspector Shivaji Rao Deshmukh of Ulhasnagar Crime Branch said that the six men were arrested in a raid. “We had received a tip off. Now, we are trying to nab the other members of the gang,” Deshmukh said. One of the accused is the brother of local corporator. Police said that Pawar, Solanki and Rangar had caught the reptile in their village in Satara.

The Red Sand Bao has a huge demand in South East Asia because it is used in cancer treatment.

Dr Parvish Pandya, associate professor, Zoology at Bhavans College said, “The snake lives in burrows and has a blunt tail. Snake charmers apply black paint on its tail and try to pass it off as its second head. There is also a misconception that it has aphrodisiac qualities.”

About the snake

The Red Sand Boa (Ery Johnii) also known as Do-muha saap is found in India, Iran and Pakistan. It is non-venomous and lives in burrows. When alarmed it coils its tail and raises it as if it was the head.
Its colour varies from reddish-brown to dull yellow-tan.

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‘Snake rescuer’ caught in illegal trade tangle In a raid by forest officials at Ahmednagar on Tuesday, several species of snakes were seized from the residence of a self-proclaimed snake rescuer. Although Yusuf Khan, a resident of Paanch Peer Chavdi at Ahmednagar, has claimed that he is supplier of snakes and venom to Haffkine Institute, forest officials believe that they have busted an illegal snake supplying racket. Acting on the information provided by Mumbai-based NGO People in Defence of Animals (PIDA), a team of Ahmednagar forest department led by Range Forest Officer (Vigilance) DK Kapse raided the house of Khan and seized the reptiles. Besides a few sand boas, the officers seized at least 15 brown cobras and five kraits kept in boxes in the basement of the house. Founder president of PIDA Karim Khan said, “We had concrete information about illegal snake trade being operated from Ahmednagar. After conducting investigations at our level, we passed the information to the forest department.” However, when news of the raid spread, hundreds of people led by the local corporator gathered at Khan’s house. The situation became volatile when Khan was arrested and was being taken away with the seized reptiles. The people intercepted the vehicle and allegedly tried to manhandle the forest officials. Divisional forest officer of Ahmednagar DD Gujela said, “It is definitely a serious matter. We will not leave any stone unturned to eradicate the nexus.” ================================================================================================ Snake charmers steer clear of Mumbai: Hindustan Times Mumbai: This Nag Panchami, animal welfare activists were happy to note that there were no snake charmers to be seen on Mumbai’s roads. Nag Panchami was on July 26. “This is good news. It shows that snake charmers are now afraid of coming into Bombay with snakes. They know it’s illegal,” says Sunish Subramanium, of the Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Mumbai, which combed the areas of Bhandup, Thane, Kalwa, Mumbra, Andheri and CST for snake charmers. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, it is illegal to keep or display snakes. Till about 10 or 15 years ago, over a 100 snakes were rescued each year in Mumbai during Nag Panchami. There has been a steady decline in the last five years. “In the last two years we have caught just one or two snakes during the festival,” says Subramanium. Snake rescuers say this is due to heightened awareness. “People know that it is illegal when snake charmers display snakes. Many are also aware of the cruelty involved,” says Dr Dinesh Vinherkar, a veterinarian and snake expert who works with In Defence of Animals, an animal welfare group. Snakes that are caught for display have their fangs broken and mouths stitched. “They are not mammals and don’t drink the milk offered. This is a myth. The milk can go into their lungs and choke them. If it dries up, it forms bacteria and blocks their nostrils. This combined with the haldi and kumkum applied on its head can cause infection to the snake,” says Dr Vinherkar, who along with four of his colleagues patrolled the route from Dadar to Santacruz on Nag Panchami but found no snake charmers. “People now realise if they worship a real snake they are doing it a disservice,” adds Dr Vinherkar. Many snake charmers have now turned to using clay and metal snake idols and seem to attract as many devotees. “One woman who for years used to sit with real snakes in Mulund, now has a big metal idol she displays,” says Subramanium. Groups like PAWS, Thane, have given away metal idols to snake charmers. “The idea is not to make them lose their livelihood. They should realize there are alternate means and ways to earn a living without being cruel to animals,” says Nilesh Banage, the founder. Banage and his troop also scouted around Thane, Dombivli and Kalwa. ==================================================================================== Poisonous Snakes of Mumbai There are areas of Mumbai around Borivli, Goregaon, Malabar Hill, Pali hill, Worli, Sion, Andheri, and Malad where snakes can be found. Here is a list of poisonous snakes of Mumbai. Naja Naja (Nag). Large snake that can grow upto 150 cm. Callophis Melanurus. Small coral snake that can grow upto 34 cm. Russel's Viper. Grows upto 160 cm. Its fangs are nearly 1 cm long and are capable of penetrating flesh. Only 15 mg of venom is enough to kill a grown man. Echis Carinatus (Phoorsa). This is a small venomous viper that grows up to 40 cm. Its inconspicuous nature, the speed of its strike, and its readiness to bite at the smallest provocation makes it the most dangerous reptiles in Mumbai. The species produces 18 mg of venom and may inject as much as 12 mg per bite. Only 5 mg is a lethal dose. The snake is quite hardy and is out and about even during hot days. Trimeresurus gramineus (Indian green tree viper). Small green snake grows to about 75 cm. It can be recognized by its triangular head and golden eye balls. It can be found within forest areas of Borivli. Enhydrina Schistosa (sea snake). Ash colored snake with round body can be seen around Versova after high tides. The snake can not move on land. It is not aggressive and its fangs are located far behind in his mouth and therefore it can not grip to inject poison. However, its poison is 4-8 times as venomous as that of king Cobra. About 1.5 mg is considered to be lethal. These snakes are active during day as well as night. Hydrophis mamillaries (sea snake). Buff colored sea snake. Its fangs are located far behind as well so it can not grip effectively to deliver venom. The venom is neurotoxin. Polyvalent Antivenin produced by Haffkine Institute of Mumbai is the only remedy against the snake bites from these species. One note of caution. Haffkine Antivenin is not effective against venom of King Cobra or other snakes not listed above. So, be careful handling exotic species in Mumbai.