Panic gripped a village in Chhattisgarh's Korba district after an 11-foot-long king cobra, one of the world's most venomous snakes, slithered into a house, sending residents scrambling for safety.
Incident in Chhuidhoda Village
The incident was reported from Chhuidhoda village in the Pasarkhet forest range. Family members spotted the giant reptile inside their home and rushed out before alerting authorities.
Rescue Operation
A rescue team comprising forest personnel and wildlife volunteers reached the spot and safely captured the snake. After a health assessment, it was released into a suitable forest habitat. The king cobra, measuring around 11 feet, was rescued by wildlife volunteers Jitendra Sarathi and Siddhant Jain with assistance from forest staff and local villagers.
Significance of King Cobras in Korba
The sighting has drawn attention to the presence of king cobras in Korba, one of the few districts in Chhattisgarh where the species is found. Wildlife experts noted that the snake is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the highest level of legal protection available in India.
Growing Awareness Among Villagers
Officials said growing awareness among villagers has helped reduce instances of snakes being killed out of fear. "People are increasingly informing rescue teams instead of attacking the animal, which is encouraging for conservation," an official said.
The department urged residents not to panic on encountering snakes or other wildlife and to immediately contact authorised rescue teams.
Ecological Role of King Cobras
Experts said king cobras play an important ecological role by regulating populations of other snakes and are considered indicators of healthy forest ecosystems. The rescue drew a large crowd of villagers, who watched as the massive serpent was carefully removed and taken back to the forest.
