IMPHAL, Nov 7 - The Northeastern States lack proper data and documents relating to snake diversity, according to wellknown reptile consultant Vishal Santra.
�The snake�s related data are not available for NE. So we need to generate such data to work on conserving our biodiversity,� said Santra, a researcher in snake projects in India. �Saving and conserving snakes mean protecting our crop land as snakes mostly prey on rodents�, he added.
After attending a public interaction trip to Tamenglong district headquarters, Santra, who hails from Hooghly district of West Bengal, said, rodent population would increase dramatically which would affect crop production if the world�s snakes were eliminated. Apart from the threat to food security posed by rodent population growth, increased disease outbreaks would put a heavy burden on the health services of many countries, especially developing ones.
The freelance herpetologist, who works for a society � Simultala Conservationists, opined that the public should be made aware that anti-snake venom is available in government hospitals.
Stating that there are many snake species in NE and most of them are non-venomous, he said, �But we still need to do proper study as most of the information available about snakes in the country hardly reflects snakes of this region.�
The conservationist informed that they have conducted a study in Mizoram on the State�s snake diversity. �So far, we have found 86 species of snakes including eight venomous ones which are not similar to species found in the country,� he added. �So we are planning to do some study in Manipur and Tamenglong in particular considering its biodiversity, next season.�
