Misunderstood and misrepresented, snakes and other herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) often find little space in our hearts. However, whether we fear them or are repelled by them, we cannot deny that these animals are vital to our well-being and that ecosystems cannot function without them. One of the biggest threats to herpetofauna today is killer roads that spread their web throughout India, often cutting through wild landscapes that these animals call home. To address this issue, renowned herpetologist Nirmal Kulkarni and other concerned conservationists of Goa have launched an innovative campaign, “Brake for Snakes,” to create awareness among the people about keeping their vehicles under control when passing through wildlife habitats to avoid killing wildlife. The campaign was launched during the Serpentdine event in June in Goa, where snake researchers, rescuers, and enthusiasts gathered to exchange ideas and devise strategies to protect Goa’s herpetofauna and other wildlife.
In this interview, Nirmal Kulkarni, a renowned herpetologist, field ecologist, and conservationist from Goa speaks more about the campaign and other threats to Goa’s wildlife and related mitigation strategies.
by Dr. Oishimaya Sen Nag
What is the “Brake for Snakes” campaign?
The “Brake for Snakes” campaign aims to curb wildlife deaths due to vehicular collisions. The campaign was born out of the simple premise that many snakes and other wildlife get killed while crossing roads. Goa and other parts of the country are now well-supplied with an extensive road network that often crisscrosses wildlife habitats. Speed limits in these sensitive areas are often not followed, leading to vehicles crushing down snakes, turtles, frogs, and many other animals, including large mammals, when these animals are forced to cross roads cutting through their habitats. With the road network expanding by the day and the issue aggravating, we thought of drawing attention to it with the help of the “Brake for Snakes” campaign.
While the tagline mentions snakes, the campaign applies to all wild species threatened by deaths due to road accidents. We launched the campaign during the monsoon since this is the breeding time for herpetofauna, and young ones of reptiles and amphibians emerge during this time and are highly vulnerable to being killed while crossing roads.
The buff-striped keelback roadkill ; Photography by Mahesh Yadav/JY Brothers
To begin with, we have launched the “Brake for Snakes” car bumper sticker as part of the campaign to be used on vehicles to remind drivers to go slow through wilderness habitats and stop to allow wildlife to cross the road. Further steps will be taken to generate awareness, and we also plan to propagate this campaign across India.
What is the biggest challenge to herpetofauna and other wildlife conservation in Goa?
Habitat loss. Rapid urbanization and loss of green cover due to human activities is currently the biggest threat to the state’s wildlife. With human encroachment into wild habitats, human-wildlife conflict cases are also rising. Snakes are now coming in close contact with humans, entering human homes, leading to the loss of lives of both humans and snakes. Other wildlife are also suffering the same fate.
Can wildlife tourism play a positive role in protecting Goa’s wildlife?
Goa has long been promoted as a mass tourism site, primarily focussed on the state’s beaches. However, we must understand that Goa, like all other places, has a specific carrying capacity for hosting tourists and tourist infrastructure. If we go beyond the threshold, the first to suffer will be wildlife and then culture.
However, if responsible eco-tourism tourism is promoted, where tourism follows the rules and regulations, it will positively impact conservation. The influx of nature enthusiasts/wildlife photographers will help gather support for wildlife conservation in the state.
Photography by Nirmal Kulkarni
What are some of the best places to explore Goa’s wildlife?
The Mollem National Park, Goa’s only national park, is replete with scenic landscapes and rich biodiversity, making it an excellent destination for wildlife lovers. The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Goa is also a fascinating place to observe many endemic species, offering good sightings of such species. Bird watchers will enjoy the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, which is known to host over 230 bird species in its pristine habitat. Besides, there is plenty of marine life to watch in Goa, with scuba diving, snorkeling, dolphin spotting, and other facilities available for interested tourists. The Grand Island in the state is well-known for such tourism.
Besides tourism, what else can be done to save Goa’s wildlife?
Children are the future. They must be educated and inspired to speak up for nature because they will need natural resources and stable ecosystems for their bright future, and if that is destroyed, they will be the sufferers. Hence, spreading awareness among the young generation is vital to protecting wildlife. I educate as many children as possible through my various wildlife camps and trails so that they start taking an interest in wildlife conservation and grow up loving and protecting all wildlife.
