It is one year since an official order was passed directing a high-level probe into king cobra research facilities in Agumbe
The complaints detail serious violations within the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), including illegal land buy in Thenkaru village, unauthorised commercial workshops, illegal constructions, and commercialised king cobra rescues violating Sections 9 and 12 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, most snakes are categorised under Schedules I and II, yet they lack the administrative diligence and conservation resources afforded to large mammals like elephants, tigers, leopards and bears. This ongoing failure persists despite Khandre’s Sept 18, 2025, written directive mandating 4–5 days of residential snake-rescue training for frontline staff across all forest ranges, restricting private individuals from capturing snakes,” it stated.
The memorandum emphasises that whenever snakes enter human habitations, frontline forest personnel hesitate or fail to carry out rescue operations due to an acute shortage of trained staff. Shivamogga: Environmental activists have submitted a comprehensive appeal to the state’s new forest, ecology, and environment minister Ramalinga Reddy, demanding immediate intervention to clear pending inquiry files and resolve long-delayed investigations into alleged wildlife exploitation and land encroachments in Agumbe. Exactly one year has passed since former forest minister Eshwar B Khandre issued an official order directing a high-level probe into the region’s king cobra research facilities. “Most snake rescues across Karnataka remain outsourced to uncertified private individuals who capture snakes arbitrarily, record dangerous stunts for social media engagement, and fail to log capture or release locations.