Utilizing Snake Rescue Data to Understand Snake Distribution Pattern and Human-Snake Conflict in Pakur Forest Division, Jharkhand India

Abstract

This study aims to utilize data from voluntary snake rescue operations conducted between May 2022 and May 2025 to understand the diversity, distribution patterns, and human-snake conflict (HSC) dynamics in the Pakur Forest Division, Jharkhand. A total of 130 individuals belonging to 20 snake species across 5 families were rescued, including 5 venomous, 2 mildly venomous, and 13 non-venomous species. Most rescues occurred in human-dominated landscapes, particularly during the monsoon season, aligning with increased snake movement and breeding activity. Notably, species such as the Spectacled Cobra, Common Krait, and Russell’s Viper were among the most frequently encountered and pose significant risk to rural and Urban populations. Despite the dominance of non-venomous species, lack of awareness leads to their indiscriminate killing due to fear and misidentification. The study emphasizes the urgent need for awareness programs on snake conservation, safe coexistence, and first-aid practices. It also highlights the necessity of ensuring the availability of anti-venom in Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and dispensaries for effective snakebite treatment. Findings from this research not only reflect the ecological significance of the region's Herpetofauna but also serve as a foundation for planning community-based conservation and conflict mitigation strategies.

Keywords

Introduction

Fig. 1. Map of the study area.

Banded Karait	Banded Kukri	Banded Racer	Green Vine Snake
Black Headed Royal Snake	Common Sad Boa	Russell’s Viper	Common wolf Snake (mutant)
Common Bronze-Back Tree Snake	Common Karait	Checkered Keelback	Monocled Cobra
Rat Snake	Ornate Flying Snake	Spectacled Cobra	Forsten's Cat Snake
Barred Wolf Snake	Common Wolf Snake	Common Kukri	Brahminy Blind Snake

Fig. 2. Some of the rescued and released snakes from Pakur forest division.

Fig. 3. Graphical representation of IWPA 2022 status of snake species found during rescue initiatives from Pakur Forest Division.

Fig. 4. Graphical representation of venom category of snake species found during rescue initiatives from Pakur Forest Division.

It has been observed that the major habitats preferred by snakes in the Pakur and Maheshpur beats was human-dominated areas. A total of 97 snakes were rescued from these two regions. Among the species rescued during the study, the Spectacled Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Rat Snake, Checkered Keelback, Common Sand Boa, Common Wolf Snake, and Common Kukri were found throughout the year across all seasons. Russell’s Viper was mainly active from August to June, with reduced activity and rare sightings during the remaining months. Seasonal trends revealed that species like the Monocled Cobra, Ornate Flying Snake, Buff-striped Keelback, Green Vine Snake, Bronze-backed Tree Snake, and Forsten's Cat Snake were rescued predominantly during the monsoon season (June to September). Overall, most snake rescues during the study occurred in the monsoon season, which also coincides with the hatching period and increased prey availability, explaining the presence of juvenile and young snakes. On average, 1–2 snake rescue incidents per week were done by Pakur forest department from residential areas in both towns and villages in the entire division. In total, 130 snakes were rescued from the study area. The most commonly encountered species included the Spectacled Cobra, Common Wolf Snake, Common Krait, Russell’s Viper, Common Sand Boa, Common Kukri Snake, Banded Kukri, and Banded Racer. These species are predominantly nocturnal and are typically encountered at night, whereas diurnal species such as the Indian Rat Snake, Checkered Keelback, Buff-striped Keelback, Green Keelback, and Worm Snakes were often spotted during the day by local residents. The abundance of snake species varies both spatially and temporally. Juvenile snakes—those recently hatched and yet to establish a territory—are naturally more abundant than adults. Additionally, generalist and highly adaptable species tend to be more prevalent than habitat specialists. The distribution and population density of snakes also differ across landscapes and habitat types, depending on each species’ ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments. Under natural conditions, snakes are secretive and are usually encountered randomly or accidentally, particularly when their microhabitats are disturbed by human activities such as earth-moving, construction, and farming. In rural areas, snakes are frequently found resting in warm and concealed places like piles of fuelwood, cow dung, bricks, or stones, which provide safe and thermally favorable microhabitats. Temporally, snake encounters peak during the rainy season, when they emerge from burrows and other shelters due to flooding or increased humidity. Human habitations often attract snakes during this period, offering warmth, shelter, nesting sites, and easy access to prey such as rodents, making these areas favorable for overwintering or egg-laying. Venomous species exhibit habitat preferences: for instance, Russell’s Viper, the Spectacled (Binocellate) Cobra, and the Common Krait favor dry environments, while the Monocellate Cobra and Banded Krait prefer moist, swampy areas, wetlands, and water-logged habitats. Based on activity patterns, snakes can be broadly classified as diurnal, nocturnal, or crepuscular. However, most human-snake conflict occurs outside the typical activity periods of these reptiles, often due to accidental encounters. In natural ecosystems, inter-species competition among snakes for food and territory exists, often resulting in avoidance behavior. This study highlights the effectiveness of utilizing snake rescue data as a proxy to understand the spatio-temporal distribution of snakes and assess the intensity and patterns of human-snake conflict (HSC) in the Pakur Forest Division. The consistent rescue of 20 different snake species, including venomous, mildly venomous, and non-venomous types across varied habitats, emphasizes the division's rich Herpetofauna diversity and the ecological value of its landscapes. The high frequency of rescues from human-dominated landscapes, particularly in the Pakur and Maheshpur beats, indicates that snakes are increasingly occupying peri-urban and rural areas due to habitat disturbance, prey abundance, and favourable microhabitats. Seasonal patterns show that most rescues and human-snake encounters occurred during the monsoon season—coinciding with increased snake activity due to flooding of burrows, breeding, and prey movement. Such interactions often result in snakebite incidents, especially when venomous species such as the Spectacled Cobra, Common Krait, Russell’s Viper, and Monocled Cobra enter homes, farms, or fuelwood storage areas. A significant observation was that despite 65% of the rescued species being non-venomous, they were often killed due to fear and misidentification. This underscores a critical gap in local awareness and highlights the urgent need for community education and awareness programs focusing on snake identification, ecological roles, and safe behaviour during encounters. Educating schoolchildren, farmers, and rural households through visual aids, rescue demonstrations, and campaigns can greatly reduce fear-driven killings and snakebite incidents. Given the presence of highly venomous species in the division, the study also emphasizes the urgent need to ensure the availability of anti-venom in all Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and local dispensaries. Timely medical intervention following a snakebite can significantly reduce mortality and long-term complications. However, the lack of accessible healthcare infrastructure and delayed treatment remains a major challenge in rural Jharkhand. Strengthening the rural health system with anti-venom stock, trained healthcare professionals, and snakebite management protocols is imperative for minimizing fatalities. Moreover, interspecies interactions—such as competition for prey between Rat Snakes and Cobras—and the habitat preferences of different species provide valuable insights into their behavioural ecology. Understanding these patterns helps in planning habitat management and rescue response strategies. The presence of species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972, amended 2022) and those categorized as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN adds further conservation significance to the study.

CONCLUSIONS:

Biodiversity is a vital asset to humanity, and its conservation is essential for sustaining ecological balance and ensuring the well-being of future generations. The recorded diversity of snake species in the Pakur Forest Division, captured solely through rescue operations—indicates a rich and ecologically significant Herpetofauna habitat. Such diversity not only highlights the presence of a healthy ecosystem but also suggests the existence of a well-structured food web supported by organisms across various trophic levels. The regular presence of a wide range of snake species in human-influenced landscapes, including educational campuses, underscores the adaptability of these reptiles and the urgency of reconciling human-snake coexistence. Unfortunately, widespread misconceptions and fear often lead to the unnecessary killing of snakes, including harmless and ecologically beneficial species. This study reinforces the importance of snakes in maintaining ecological harmony, particularly through their role in controlling rodent populations and balancing prey-predator dynamics. It also demonstrates that snake rescues, when carried out ethically and systematically, can be a valuable tool for both conservation and public education. The findings serve as a strong foundation for community-based mitigation strategies for human-snake conflict (HSC), especially in rural and semi-urban settings. Considering this, it is imperative to strengthen awareness programs, encourage coexistence through education, and promote further scientific research to deepen our understanding of the region’s snake diversity.

FUTURE SCOPE:

We aim to continue our voluntary snake rescue operations within the division and surrounding areas to the best of our capacity. Our efforts will also focus on raising awareness among local communities, encouraging them not to panic at the sight of a snake, as most species are non-aggressive unless provoked or threatened. The observation of such significant species diversity through rescue operations alone indicates the presence of rich Herpetofauna biodiversity in the region. This highlights the need for more intensive and systematic studies to comprehensively document the Herpetofauna of the Pakur Forest Division. Additionally, there is an urgent need to ensure that anti-venom is readily available at all Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and nearby dispensaries to provide timely and effective treatment in case of snakebite incidents. Strengthening the healthcare response and building awareness on snakebite prevention and first-aid can greatly reduce snakebite-related mortality and fear-driven killing of snakes in the region.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

We would like to offer our sincere thanks to all those who made rescue calls to us at the sight of snake rather than harming them. Also, we would like to thank Mr. Saheb Marandi and Mr. Ashraful Shekh for assistance in the rescue operation.  Special thanks to Mr. Vinod Kumar Singh, RFO Amrapara and Hiranpur range. Mr. Ramchandra Paswan, RFO Pakur. Shri Indradeo Ram, Head Accountant for assistance in logistics support during various rescue initiatives.

Conflict of Interest: None.

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