GHSPCA Urges Protection for Snakes Ahead of Naga Panchami in Hyderabad

Ahead of the Naga Panchami festival on August 17, the Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA) has appealed to citizens to refrain from practices that harm snakes and announced planned rescue operations across Hyderabad localities, including Begum Bazar, Shalibanda, Lal Darwaza, and Ramkoti.

The animal welfare organisation urged the public to observe the festival without subjecting reptiles to cruelty. Specifically, GHSPCA called for an immediate end to the practice of offering milk to snakes, stating that milk is not part of a reptile's natural diet and can cause severe health complications.

According to the GHSPCA, snake charmers illegally capture snakes, particularly cobras, in the weeks leading up to Naga Panchami. The organisation reported that captured reptiles are subjected to extreme cruelty, including having their fangs forcibly removed, venom glands damaged, and mouths stitched or injured. They are frequently kept in dark, unhygienic conditions and deprived of food.

During the festival, the rescued snakes are often displayed in public places where people attempt to feed them milk or apply substances like kumkum to them. GHSPCA highlighted that it has been rescuing, treating, and releasing snakes back into their natural habitats during Naga Panchami since 2005, having saved 5,366 snakes over the years.

For the upcoming festival, GHSPCA and People for Animals volunteers will conduct joint rescue and awareness drives in coordination with the Forest Department and other animal welfare groups across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Within Hyderabad, volunteer teams will focus their awareness and rescue activities across key old city and central commercial areas, including Shalibanda, Hussaini Alam, Gowlipura, Begum Bazar, Doodhbowli, Lal Darwaza, Ramkoti, Moghalpura, and Kamatipura.

Residents who witness snake cruelty or spot captured reptiles can report instances directly to the Telangana Forest Department helpline at 1800-425-5364. Assistance can also be sought from GHSPCA volunteers by calling 88867-43881 or 93945-78568.