World Snake Day, 16th July 2023
Know them to overcome your fears

Snakes have been given importance in Indian culture, religion and our ecosystem. They deserve conservation just like other species. So World Snake Day on 16th July can play an important role in creating awareness about these amazing and interesting reptiles. It is an opportunity to celebrate snakes and raise awareness about their preservation. The history of starting of World Snakes Day is unknown. It has neither been officially declared by any International or National organization so far but the nature enthusiasts join to increase awareness about the different species of snake all around the world.
Indian Biodiversity conservation society is organizing several awareness Programmes on the occasion of World Snake Day including quiz, story writing competition for the students and an on-line interactive session with the Experts like Dr.Akhilesh Kumar and Dr. Ashish Tripathi from Uttar Pradesh, Dr.Niraj Kumar from Bihar and Mr.Vivek Verma from Madhya Pradesh. There will also be a presentation by Dr.Akhilesh Kumar who will share his experiences when he worked in a project “Annotated and Colored Checklist of Reptiles and Amphibians of Uttar Pradesh” funded by Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board.” Dr. Sonika Kushwaha and Dr.Monika Raghuvanshi IBCS-experts will display a short video showing the contribution of Snake expert, Lt.Mr Zafar Warsi, President Paryavaran Jeev Seva Sansthan, Gonda. It will be a tribute to him as well as to the snakes rescued by him.
All around the world, there are 3,500 species snake. Interestingly, out of these only 600 are venomous that means only 1/4th of snakes! Out of these, only 200 species of snake pose a considerable risk to human life as well. India is home to over 300 species of snakes, of which nearly 60 are known to be venomous. The four most poisonous snakes in India are the spectacled cobra (Naja naja), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) and Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelii). These are commonly known as the ‘Big Four’.

The data from various studies says that each year, approximately five million snake bites occur all around the world. The number of demise range from 81,000 to 138,000 while 400,000 people suffer with permanent disabilities and amputations. India has the highest burden of such deaths. Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan recorded the most deaths. Odisha was the first state in the country to declare snakebite a “disaster” in 2015. Uttar Pradesh government has also declared compensatory amount for death by snake bite this year.

Some stunning facts about snakes:

1. The only snake that makes a nest for egg laying is King Cobra, the world’s longest snake.
2. Flying snakes are not a myth. They do not have wings but they glide from tree to tree with the help of ribs.
3. External ears are absent in snakes. Their lower jaw work as sense organs by catching the sound waves from water or ground surface.
4. Snake venom is in fact modified saliva. Snakes use venom to catch and digest prey, and as a defence against threats.
5. Snake venom has medicinal value. It is used in the preparation of muscle relaxants, analgesics, and drugs for neurodegenerative disorders.
6. All snakes are not egg-laying. Some directly give birth to baby snakes called snakelets. For example boas, rattlesnakes and garter snakes.
7. The sense of smell is highly developed in snakes. The tongue act as an organ of smell. That’s why snakes keep flicking their tongues out.

Snakes are highly effective predators and play a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature Snakes are also fascinating in that they have a prehistoric lineage, thus giving us a glimpse back t…