Natural pest control
A single adult Indian Rat Snake eats 100–150 rodents a year, protecting paddy fields, grain stores and homes from crop loss and rodent-borne disease.
Coexistence
Why snakes matter to Odisha
Snakes control agricultural pests and are vital to Ganjam’s food web. Protecting them while preventing encounters at home reduces both crop loss and snakebites.
No stunts, stress-free relocation
Under the Odisha Forest Department August 2023 guidelines, rescues never involve free-handling stunts, public display or social media posing. Snakes are released promptly into suitable habitat.
Sleep under a mosquito net
Sleeping on a cot under a well-tucked mosquito net prevents night-time krait bites. Use a torch and closed footwear outdoors at night, especially in the monsoon.
Household safety checklist
- Seal gaps under doors, bathroom drains and pipe openings with wire mesh.
- Store firewood, bricks, coconut husks and building materials away from walls, on raised racks.
- Keep food waste and animal feed sealed so rats and frogs don’t draw snakes indoors.
- Shake out shoes, helmets, gloves and folded bedding before use.
- Never pour phenyl, kerosene, acid or boiling water into burrows — it’s illegal and drives snakes into rooms.
- Teach children to tell an adult right away instead of throwing stones.