AMARAVATI– In a major milestone for wildlife conservation, 30 King Cobra hatchlings were released into the forests of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh as part of a first-of-its-kind, community-driven conservation initiative in the state.
The release marks a significant step in protecting one of the world’s most iconic and vulnerable snake species. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who also serves as Forest and Environment Minister, praised the collaboration between local tribal communities, non-governmental organizations, and the state Forest Department.
“This initiative highlights the power of grassroots collaboration,” Kalyan posted Wednesday on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s a shining example of what’s possible when communities are empowered to take part in conservation.”
The in-situ conservation project focused on protecting King Cobra nesting habitats in the Paderu Forest Division of North Andhra. Tribal residents were actively involved in monitoring and safeguarding the hatching grounds as part of the initiative, which is being touted as a model for inclusive, science-driven conservation.
Kalyan credited the success to the collective efforts of key government and civil society leaders, applauding the work of A.K. Naik, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF); S.S. Sridhar, Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW); frontline forest staff; and the Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society (EGWS).
“This achievement lays the foundation for an even more ambitious goal — the proposed 2,400-hectare King Cobra Sanctuary in the Eastern Ghats,” Kalyan announced. “Once established, it would be the first sanctuary of its kind in the world and position Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of species-specific conservation.”
He also noted that the project aligns with the broader environmental vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
In a separate update, Kalyan instructed the Forest Department to enhance community engagement in areas affected by elephant movement. He directed officials to create WhatsApp groups with local villagers in regions like Chittoor and Tirupati to share real-time alerts and preventive information.
The Deputy Chief Minister held a teleconference with forest officials following reports of elephant herds damaging crops and a recent fatal attack on a farmer in Chittoor district. He emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring and proactive communication to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. (Source: IANS)
