The First Year students of Environmental Studies are learning about biological diversity of different species. As part of the syllabus, a Session on ‘Awareness about Snake Species’ was organized by Amrut S. Singh for First Year BCA & B.Voc students on 23rdAugust 2019 at 1:00pm. Snakes play a very critical role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and environment, but due to lack of knowledge and understanding, they are still feared by most people. Around 12 percent of assessed snake species are threatened and their population has declined according to IUCN Red list threatened Species. The main aim of this session was to make the student community aware about different snake species and their conservation. The objectives of this session were to identify and differentiate between non venomous, mildly venomous and venomous species of snakes, to learn the aspects of snake biology (smell and touch) and behavior including how they respond to threat, to know the different techniques for snake handling and rescue and to analyze their importance in the ecosystem.
Mr. Bhiku Bhave, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Computer Science, introduced the resource person to the audience. The session was attended by the students, teaching, and non-teaching staff of the College. Interested students from other programmes also attended the session.
The resource person had brought twelve different snake species. First, he explained and showed students all non-venomous snakes such as Rat Snake, Whitaker’s Boa, Checkered Keelback, Bronze back tree snake, Indian Rock Python, Montane Trinket Snake and Common Wolf Snake. Later, he showed mildly venomous snakes such as Forsten Cat Snake and Common Vine Snake. Lastly he showed the venomous snakes such as Common Krait, Russell’s viper and Spectacled Cobra. While showing all these species of snakes, he guided the students how to identify the snakes and differentiate among different snake species. He also explained the food patterns of these species. He ably demonstrated different techniques of snake handling and allowed the students to handle non-venomous snakes under his guidance.
The resource person made students aware about different unfounded rumors regarding snakes. He also shared that, to carry out a demonstration session like this, snake species are caught from different places. Once they are done with the session, the snakes are released back in the area in the area from where they had been brought. The session was remarkable. The students as well as other audience appreciated the session. Their excitement was patent while resource person was demonstrating the snake species. The session ended with vote of thanks given by Mr. Kiran Prakash Naik, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Environmental Studies.
