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by Tharika Goonathilake

An unfounded terror of all reptiles shared by a majority of the community is leading to the eradication of a species beneficial to agriculture.

"Reptiles and amphibians play a key role in the control of agricultural predators but unfounded fears coupled with the lack of precautionary measures among farmers are causing a huge snake death toll," one of Sri Lanka's leading herpetologists Dr. Anslem De Silva told the Daily News yesterday.

According to him, around five to ten snakes are killed in these areas per day.

Dr. De Silva, who has been conducting research in the Mahaweli zone for over ten years cited this trend "as extremely detrimental since agricultural pests like rodents, bugs and insects can cause colossal losses in grain production". A case in point was the appalling grain loss in India when grain equal to the entire crop production in Sri Lanka was destroyed during the British Colonial period as a result of a short sighted policy that encouraged and rewarded people who killed snakes.

'The massive snake hunt,' was encouraged for clearing snake infested lands for agriculture as well as to supplement the ever increasing snake skin leather industry.

According to Dr. De Silva, Mahaweli development areas harbours two main species of snakes - the Cobra and Common Krait and this area also records the highest incidence of snake bites in the country.

However, these incidents were mainly the result of carelessness of farmers and not necessarily as a result of snake attacks.

"There is a tendency among snakes to move towards roads and footpaths at dusk.

But, despite repeated warnings, farmers fail to carry adequately lit torches when they walk at night," he said.

In some cases farmers also kill in fear or anger if a family member or neighbour had been bitten by a snake little realising the problems that are bound to rise at this rate of killing.

In addition to the biodiversity that snakes provide- 50 percent of reptiles and amphibians found in the country are endemic, snake venom is considered a valuable source for developing effective anti-venom treatment. The Common Kraits, widely found in these areas are considered valuable given the demand for its venom which is around US $ 1000 per gramme.

"Whatever the fear and social stigma that is attached to snakes they are an integral part of nature and a valuable asset in keeping predators under control. Measures must be taken to redress this situation through awareness raising and other methods," Dr. De Silva warned.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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