Snake catching: Forest Department to train teachers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Forest Department is preparing to provide training to catch snakes scientifically and safely in emergency situations, to school teachers in Kerala. A one-day training will be held in Palakkad on August 11. A letter has been sent to the Education Department from the Palakkad Social Forestry in this regard.

This demand was raised by teachers from Palakkad during the safety inspection conducted by the Forest Department in schools as part of the school reopening ceremony.

The recent sighting of snakes in school premises and classrooms has also led to the provision of snake-catching training. The aim is to catch a snake as soon as possible if a snake is seen during school hours, without waiting for the SARPA team to arrive.

The project, which will be started on a pilot basis in Palakkad, will be extended to other districts if it is successful, said Y. Muhammed Anwar, Nodal Officer of the SARPA (Snake Awareness Rescue and Protection App) Mission.