Daltonganj: In a first, a group of ‘Vanjeevi Didis’ have rescued a 7-ft-long Indian rock python from a chicken coop at Besna Kharn under Garu West range of Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), officials said.The 15-kg python had entered the coop of Arun Oraon and eaten a hen, forester in-charge Amrit said. The women captured the snake within 20 minutes and released it safely in a nearby forest.Snake rescues in PTR have traditionally been handled by men. Vanjeevi Didis (forest sisters) are women selected from villages around PTR to serve as grassroots conservation ambassadors. The initiative, launched on Feb 17, initially covered 17 villages, with 18 women chosen from each. Trained by the forest department, they spread awareness against poaching, tree felling and harm to wildlife, assist in rescue operations and act as a link between officials and local communities.Kumar Ashish, deputy director of PTR’s South division, praised the women for showing courage and presence of mind while dealing with the reptile. Some of them were wearing saris and working barefoot.“The rescue took place two days ago, but the thrill of handling the Indian rock python is still overwhelming,” said Babita, one of the rescuers.She said several Vanjeevi Didis were working in agricultural fields when they were alerted. “Some had their feet in slushy water and rushed out barefoot when we called them to help rescue the python. Not one of them stopped to worry about her own safety,” she said.Babita credited a day-long snake-handling training session and the rescue kits provided to the women three days earlier on the forester’s instructions. “The training and equipment boosted our confidence,” she said.Vanjeevi Didis appealed to residents not to panic or harm snakes that stray into human habitations. They urged people to keep a safe distance and immediately alert forest personnel.
