Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday said the state government is planning to provide an insurance cover of Rs 10-15 lakh to snake rescuers, in a bid to recognise their services in dealing with human-wildlife conflicts.
Bawankule also said the state government has plans to provide snake rescuers with identity cards.
“Snake rescuers often risk their lives to protect villagers from venomous snakes and ensure that the reptiles are safely relocated to their natural habitats. Recognising their selfless contribution, we plan to issue them official ID cards and provide Rs 10 lakh accident insurance. A formal recommendation to grant the benefit to snake rescuers will soon be sent to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,” Bawankule said in a statement.
A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be prepared in this regard. “There is a need to classify snake rescue under essential services and include the rescuers in disaster response mechanisms. The work is of critical nature,” said Bawankule.
The statement issued by the revenue department said that to enhance coordination and transparency, a dedicated portal listing certified snake rescuers will be created on the forest department’s website. “This will enable quicker response in emergencies and offer public access to verified contact information. Such a step will not only support snake rescuers but also strengthen wildlife conservation efforts,” the statement said.
