Snake rescuers demand protection

Pooja Bangar Shubham Vasu

Thane: When a snake suddenly slithers into a house, courtyard, field, or factory, chaos erupts. People scream, scramble for safety, and frantically dial a familiar number: “Bhai, there’s a snake!” Within minutes, a lone figure arrives a Sarpmitra, or “friend of snakes.”

But behind this courageous work lies a story of danger, struggle, and government neglect that few ever see.

For nearly two decades, Shubham Vasu from Ambernath in Thane district has been answering those frantic calls. Since 2005, he has been rescuing snakes and releasing them to safety.

“I catch four to five snakes a day,” Shubham says matter-of-factly. “The number has dropped because there are more Sarpmitras now. But I must have saved around 25,000 to 30,000 snakes so far.”

By law, rescued snakes must be released within 100 meters of where they were caught. But in cities, that’s nearly impossible.

“So we release them in nearby forests – wherever the Forest Department permits,” he explains. “Urbanization has destroyed their natural habitats. To keep both people and snakes safe, we often have to travel far.”

Shubham uses tongs, hooks, snake bags, and protective boots all bought with his own money.

“The government has never given us even a rupee’s worth of equipment,” he says with frustration. “We risk our lives every day, but get no official support.”

In 2011, Shubham was bitten by a venomous Russell’s viper. He got anti-venom at a government hospital but no insurance, no compensation, no financial help.

“Instead, we face suspicion. Without a government ID, people even ask, ‘Are you rescuers or smugglers?’ This demoralizes Sarpmitras and causes many snakes to be killed out of fear,” he says.

But now, there’s hope. The Maharashtra government has announced that Sarpmitras will soon receive official ID cards and 10 lakh accident insurance coverage.

“This decision lifts our spirits,” says Shubham. “It eases some of our fears and gives us a sense of security while doing this dangerous work.”

Yet, he and thousands like him have one demand: “Along with recognition and insurance, give us proper safety gear. Start awareness and training programs. Every company should employ an animal rescue officer – and pay them fairly.”

“We save snakes. We save people. But who will save us?” Shubham asks, his voice heavy with emotion.

Pooja stands out 

Among India’s many Sarpmitras, Pooja Bangar from Shikrapur near Pune stands out. She has been catching snakes since she was 16 and has even trained six other young women.

“Even when I was pregnant, I didn’t stop catching snakes,” Pooja says. “I rescued snakes up until my ninth month. My husband and my mother they’ve always supported me.”

Her journey began in ninth grade, in the most unexpected way.

“On Nag Panchami, a snake appeared near my house. People were about to kill it. I grabbed a jar and caught it myself,” she recalls, laughing. “I had no idea what I was doing later I found out it was a non-venomous snake!”

Her daring act went viral on Facebook. A Sarpmitra contacted her, trained her, and soon she became a skilled rescuer.

“The first snake I ever caught was a harmless sand boa. Today, I’ve made a name for myself in this field,” she says proudly.

Her work has struck a chord with millions. Pooja now has over 1 million followers on Instagram. Her rescue videos draw massive support, and she’s hailed online as a “fearless Sarpmitra.”

“When I arrive at a rescue, people are shocked ‘A woman catches snakes?!’ They admire me and tell their daughters about me,” she says. “In the beginning, they called me a ‘female snake charmer.’ Now, they line up to take selfies with me.”

But being a woman in this field isn’t easy.

“Women face more challenges in snake rescue,” Pooja admits. “The insurance is a good step but we need more support. We risk our lives for nature. The government should give us ID cards and a small monthly salary to recognize our work.”

Same message

“We save snakes. We save people. But who will protect us?”

The government’s move to grant official IDs and a Rs 10 lakh insurance policy is a historic step forward.

But for Sarpmitras across India, the fight isn’t over.

They are calling for safety equipment, training workshops, public awareness campaigns, and financial support measures that would make their mission safer and more effective.