One of the snakes released at Guwahati zoo. Picture by Eastern Projections

Sept. 22: The state forest department has intensified its drive against snake charmers, who, despite the ban imposed by the Wildlife Protection Act, are still moving around the city with snakes.

Over the last few weeks, officials of the department have seized 30 snakes of various species from charmers in and around the city.

Statistics reveals that since April this year 81 snakes have been rescued and sent to the state Zoo. A significant number of the snakes were rescued from the city.

?We are acting tough against the snake charmers for displaying snakes for entertainment which is banned under the law,? a forest department official said.

The city has about 40 species of reptiles, 240 species of birds and 44 species of mammals.

The official added that a sizeable number of snakes has been seized from snake charmers alone is a testimony that the ban has still not been enforced properly.

?Not much awareness about the ban have been created among people, specially youngsters who still love to see the charmers make the snakes dance to their tunes.?

The sight of these mystical men enticing snakes to ?dance? to the soulful music of their gourd flutes has long captured the imagination of people in this country.

The risks involved in the charmers? handling such deadly snakes as cobras and vipers add to the excitement of the street-side performances.

Pitam Nath, a snake charmer residing in Satgaon, said life had become very difficult since the Centre banned keeping pet snakes under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Nath, who has handled snakes since he was a child, said snake charming performances are the only source of income for his family.

?I am on the verge of starvation since this is the only trade I know. I have to carry on with my performances on the sly even at the risk of being arrested,? he added.

?Only very few have survived in this business and earning a living has become almost impossible. Since snake charming is an inherited profession, people from this community have never tried their hands at any other vocation,? Nath added.