Major King Cobraconservation project in Korba

 

 

THE Nova Nature Welfare Society, in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh Forest Department, has been actively involved in studying the factors that affect the existence of the King Cobra to develop long-term conservation strategies for this elusive species. Led by M Suraj and Moiz Ahmed, the society is focused on protecting the King Cobra population by involving the local community in the Korba district, which is the last remaining stronghold of the species in this region. Chhattisgarh has 44 per cent of its land area under forest cover, and a large portion of its population relies on agriculture for their livelihood. This has led to frequent human-snake encounters, often resulting in retaliation killings. In Korba, where the pressure from human activities is intense, there have been over 1,500 snake bites in the past two years, and the attitude towards snakes is generally hostile.

 

Despite these challenges, the Nova Nature Welfare Society has been able to foster a sense of stewardship among the locals through continuous interventions, offering hope for the conservation of the King Cobra in central India. The King Cobra, scientifically known as ‘Ophiophagus hannah,’ is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of protection to any species. The conservation efforts in Korba are further complicated by habitat destruction due to coal mining activities, such as those at the Gevra coal mine, Asia’s largest coal-producing mine. For the past four years, the Nova Nature Welfare Society has been building strong relationships with local communities, involving them in various projects to develop their skills and provide alternative livelihoods. By bridging the gap between government agencies and local communities, the society has enhanced coordination and cooperation in managing wildlife conflicts.

 

Recognising the importance of community involvement in wildlife conservation, the society has shifted its focus from community-based to community-led interventions. They have identified and registered individuals from King Cobra habitats under the “Response Team” initiative. This team is tasked with sensitizing locals, participating in rescue operations, sharing valuable information about King Cobras, and mitigating wildlife conflicts. Recently, under the guidance of Arvind PM, the Divisional Forest Officer of the Korba Forest Division, a day-long workshop was conducted to bring together locals and the forest department. The workshop aimed to build capacity among the participants and develop them as stakeholders in their respective villages. Over the past four years, with the help of these community members, more than 30 King Cobra and hundreds of other snake rescue operations have been conducted. These individuals have also played a vital role in fire control and raising awareness about the King Cobra’s habitat. One notable member of the response team, Jitendra Sarathi, has become a para biologist with the society and is also associated with the state Forest Department as an ethical wildlife rescuer. Senior biologists Mayank Bagchi and Siddhant Jain have been providing continuous technical support to these efforts, ensuring that the conservation initiatives are effective and sustainable. Through these collective efforts, the Nova Nature Welfare Society and the Chhattisgarh Forest Department are making significant strides in the conservation of the King Cobra in central India.