Shivamogga: Environmental activists have submitted a comprehensive appeal to the state’s new forest, ecology, and environment minister Ramalinga Reddy, demanding immediate intervention to clear pending inquiry files and resolve long-delayed investigations into alleged wildlife exploitation and land encroachments in Agumbe.Exactly one year has passed since former forest minister Eshwar B Khandre issued an official order directing a high-level probe into the region’s king cobra research facilities. The complaints detail serious violations within the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), including illegal land buy in Thenkaru village, unauthorised commercial workshops, illegal constructions, and commercialised king cobra rescues violating Sections 9 and 12 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.Activists highlight that despite ministerial directives, no legal action has been taken and no FIRs have been registered against the accused and individuals.Activist Nikhil M criticised the lack of institutional accountability, stating: “The forest department has no records of captured or released snakes and appears to stand in defence of the accused.”Activist Nagaraj Koove, who highlighted these issues, said the environmentalists are targeted for pointing out the lapses.The memorandum emphasises that whenever snakes enter human habitations, frontline forest personnel hesitate or fail to carry out rescue operations due to an acute shortage of trained staff. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, most snakes are categorised under Schedules I and II, yet they lack the administrative diligence and conservation resources afforded to large mammals like elephants, tigers, leopards and bears. “Most snake rescues across Karnataka remain outsourced to uncertified private individuals who capture snakes arbitrarily, record dangerous stunts for social media engagement, and fail to log capture or release locations. This ongoing failure persists despite Khandre’s Sept 18, 2025, written directive mandating 4–5 days of residential snake-rescue training for frontline staff across all forest ranges, restricting private individuals from capturing snakes,” it stated.To resolve these systemic issues and safeguard public and wildlife safety, the activists urged Reddy to immediately review and act on the pending files, enforce strict legal measures against unauthorised captures and mandate comprehensive residential snake-rescue training for departmental staff.
