'SARPA app' a success; 18064 snakes reach forest

KOZHIKODE: 18064 snakes have reached forests in two years through the Sarpa mobile application developed by the forest department for the protection of snakes and the safety of people. So far, information about 19994 snakes in the state reached in the app. Of these, 1930 snakes escaped by the time the forest department's snake catchers arrived.

The forest department has trained 1600 people to catch snakes. 23 licensed rescuers are working in Kozhikode district. Malappuram district has the highest number of trained persons- 132. Arippa Forest Training Institute Deputy Director Muhammad Anwar is the state nodal officer for providing snake rescuer certification. The highest number of snakes are protected in Kannur.

SARPA app (Snake Awareness Rescue and Protection App) was launched in August 2020 under the leadership of the Forest Department following the increase in accidents due to unscientific snake catching. The app was developed in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India. All you have to do is upload the snake's photo and location to the app once the snake is found. Rescuers will receive these messages as notifications and they will reach the spot after checking the location in the message. The app works through GPS and can track the snake from capture to release. SARPA app can be downloaded for free from Google Play Store.

Seeking coolness at homes

There is a situation where snakes come inside the houses in search of coolness when it gets hot. The problem of snakes increases during the period from December to April. The forest department has warned that the snakes should not be caught in an unscientific manner. There are about 110 species of snakes in Kerala. Among these, there are about forty groups found in human habitations. Cobra and Russell's Viper are the most dangerous snakes among them.