Jamshedpur: Come monsoon, and creepy crawlies hiss their presence felt.

Venomous or otherwise, if a snake slithers inside one's compound or house, one can become paralysed with fear. In such cases, Mithilesh Srivastava alias Chhotu, a 33-year-old snake catcher who lives in Bagbera, a suburb of Jamshedpur, is a godsend.

Mithilesh, who can be reached on 9006138085, 9304525147, 8409324927 and 8210799352, comes on his bike with a tong, a hook, gloves "and a sack. He then proceeds to catch the snake, bundles it in his sack and releases it in the forests of Dalma or Talsa near East Singhbhum's Hata.

He does not ask for money for this risky job, but takes whatever is given to him.

Asked what keeps him going, this self-taught snake catcher said it was his passion and love for snakes.

"I love snakes and don't want them killed. My work saves snakes and also people from snakebites. I have trapped several snakes from homes and farms. I feel highly satisfied with my job," Mithilesh, who has caught cobras, kraits, Russell Viper and Bamboo Pit Viper in the recent past from localities in and around Jamshedpur such as Kadma, Sundernagar, Govindpur, Telco, Pardih and areas near Dimna Lake, told this paper on Wednesday.

So, which qualities are essential for a snake catcher? "A person needs very good reflexes, courage and fitness. Most people fear snakes even if they are non-poisonous. But I don't fear snakes and can comfortably do my job," he added.

He might love his job but it has its obvious risks.

Mithilesh recounted how a cobra bit his finger while he was trying to trap it in Kadma. "Fortunately, it was not able to dig its fangs very deep. But such incidents don't deter me from doing my job," said the youth who has also taught three boys from Sonari, Govindpur and Telco the trick of trapping snakes. "I felt it was necessary for people to have a back-up if I am not available," he smiled.

Mithilesh started catching snakes four years ago, but he watched snakes on wildlife channels since he was growing up. And he dreams of setting up a snake rescue centre someday. "A snake rescue centre can help the Jharkhand government get precious venom with medicinal uses," he said.

Those who have been helped by him swear by him. "We were terrified to see a cobra at home," said Arvind Jha, a resident of Barinagar in Telco. "Mithilesh was a boon. He trapped the snake from one of the rooms. I don't know what we would have done without him."

Bagbera resident Muktinath Mahto said Mithilesh was also helpful and not money-minded. "If you call him up, he will rush to help you. He doesn't even ask for money after catching the snake. He takes whatever is given," Mahto said.