Doomdooma: In a coordinated operation on Tuesday, wildlife conservationists and the Assam Forest Department rescued a 10-kilogram python measuring four feet in length from Bon Gaon village near Tingrai Station in upper Assam’s Tinsukia district.
The snake was safely released into the Laxmipathar Reserved Forest, reflecting a notable shift in community attitudes towards wildlife in the region.
Devajit Moran, a wildlife conservationist who led the rescue, said the operation was carried out with full support from the Forest Department.
“Today this python was rescued from Bon Gaon of Tingrai Station with the cooperation of the Forest Department. The rescued snake was released back into the Laxmipathar reserved forest area,” Moran told this correspondent.
He added that the village has now become an active partner in conservation.
“Now, due to our awareness efforts, the villagers are providing help and cooperation in protecting nature and wild animals. We appeal to everyone to continue supporting us in nature conservation,” he emphasised.
The rescue is part of a growing trend across Tinsukia district, where king cobras and hundreds of other snake species are now being rescued throughout the year, a sharp contrast to earlier times when such interventions were infrequent.
Moran credited sustained awareness campaigns for this change, noting that local residents who once viewed these reptiles as threats are now voluntarily assisting forest officials and conservation teams.
Conservationists, however, warn that the rising frequency of snake rescues should be seen as a concern. Deforestation, the effects of global warming, and the activities of timber mafias, who continue to cut down forests and damage nearby hills, are disrupting natural habitats.
These factors are forcing snakes and other wildlife closer to human settlements, increasing human-animal conflict and affecting the ecological balance of upper Assam’s biodiversity.
Moran concluded with an appeal: “Conserve nature, for only if nature remains will our culture survive.”
The operation and the community’s cooperation indicate ongoing efforts in wildlife protection, even as environmental challenges continue in the region.