Hubballi: Intermittent rains in the twin cities are now forcing snakes into residential areas. Citizens calling the HDMC control room are directed to private snake catchers who demand Rs 2,000–3,000 per visit, regardless of whether a snake is caught. With no official response, some residents are killing snakes, raising concerns about reptile safety and public health.Residents are apprehensive as a person died after a snake bite in Channapet a fortnight ago. Citizens said they approached HDMC to catch the snake, in vain. “When people tried to catch it, it bit one of them. HDMC sent a catcher 4-5 days after the incident,” they alleged.Dr Sachin Hoskatti, a noted physician in Hubballi, told TOI that he caught and rehabilitated four snakes, including two cobras, at his residence in Ward-50, Chanakyapuri. “It started happening after the collapse of a compound wall, which is adjacent to a playground and a park, after recent rains. We have requested HDMC officials to reconstruct the wall at the earliest possible to prevent snakes, dogs, and thieves from entering the colony,” he added.Meanwhile, sources in HDMC said they empanelled some snake catchers earlier and were paying Rs 500 per snake caught. “As some catchers started producing fake photographs, we made it mandatory to catch a snake in the presence of a health inspector,” they added.Mala, a homemaker in Akshay Colony, shared her experience that she called the HDMC control room when a snake was found in the compound. “They gave some snake catcher’s contact number. However, the catcher suggested calling HDMC health officials, which is mandatory to catch a snake. As it was around 10 pm, no official attended our call. Finally, we requested the catcher, who demanded Rs 2,000 to catch a snake in the absence of HDMC officials. Seeing our trauma, our neighbour, who had spotted a snake at their residence after 3-4 days, just killed the snake,” she elaborated.HDMC commissioner Rudresh Ghali was unavailable for comment.Box: How to keep snakes away?Snake expert Sangamesh Chakrasali said that Jan-April is the mating time for snakes, and they deliver snakelets in May-June. He has several suggestions to repel snakes from residences.– Residents should ensure that there are no rats or frogs in and around their homes.– If they find rats or frogs, they should keep cats or dogs to prevent the number of rats or frogs. Cats and dogs also prevent the entry of snakes.– Snakes come to consume rats or frogs. If a snake is seen around, residents can buy phorate chemical powder, which is available in fertiliser shops, and throw it around the house, using hand gloves.
