The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Students led into world of reptiles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 27, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Students led into world of reptiles

Staff Reporter

Officials dispel fears and myths about snakes

NOTHING TO FEAR: A handler explains the characteristics of a snake to Valluvar Gurukulam students at Tambaram on Friday. — Photo: A. Muralitharan

TAMBARAM : Students of Valluvar Gurukulam School in Tambaram sat in rapt attention as they were taught an entirely different subject on Friday.

To mark the Republic Day, the school authorities, in association with Guindy Snake Park and Lions Club of Chennai Irumbuliyur, organised a live demonstration of snakes.

Officials said such programmes were conducted in schools of Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts to dispel myths and misconceptions about snakes including non-poisonous varieties.

B. Vijayaraghavan, former IAS officer and Chairman of Chennai Snake Park Trust and S. Rangaswami, Founder Director of Institute of Bird Studies and Natural History, gave their introductory remarks before P. Kannan, Environmental Education Officer.

A team of staff from Guindy Snake Park displayed live specimens of reptiles to students.

First, it was a baby Marsh Crocodile, followed by a Star Turtle and a Chameleon.

It was only when Mr. Kannan brought out a common green snake that the excitement of the students increased. He also showed the students a 'komberi mookkan' or Bronze Back Tree Snake. He said there was a misconception among the people that after targeting its victims, the Tree Snake would ensure that the victims were taken to the burial ground.

"Please do not believe all such concocted stories, they are all non-poisonous and harmless," he said referring to some more varieties including the `thanni paambu or `neer kozhi' — Water Snake or `saarai paambu' — Rat Snake and Reticulated Python.

He said the Rat Snake was called farmers' friend as it helped in keeping the menace of rats under check on cultivable land. The students were given a chance to touch the snakes. Mr. Kannan also brought out a Common Cobra that was safely kept inside a glass enclosure on the stage.

Speakers said snakes were as harmless as any other docile animal and that even the venomous one attacked only when they were provoked.

D. K. Srinivasan, secretary, and Usha Bhaskaran, principal, were also present.

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