Fear driven by misinformation about Russell’s Viper on social media is leading to indiscriminate snake killings in Chattogram, threatening biodiversity and agriculture, experts have warned. The reptile plays a vital role in controlling harmful pests, they emphasized.
Experts clarified that the presence of Russell’s Viper in hilly regions like Chattogram and Sylhet is highly unlikely. They urged the public to refrain from unnecessary snake killings, highlighting efforts by government agencies, including the Forest Department, to raise awareness.
Recently, terrified locals in Chattogram killed several snakes, including non-venomous pythons, mistakenly identifying them as Russell’s Vipers (locally known as Chandrabora). Incidents of beatings and burning were reported in Lohagara, Anwara, and Cox’s Bazar’s Ramu, with images circulating on social media.
Dipannita Bhattacharjee, Chattogram Wildlife and Nature Conservation officer, attributed these killings to misinformation and called for increased public awareness. She identified the snakes killed in Lohagara as a Burmese python and a round-tailed python, and in Ramu as a Burmese python. The identity of the snake killed in Anwara remains unclear.
Dr. Aniruddha Ghose, principal investigator of the Venom Research Centre, stated that although historical records mention Russell’s Viper in Chattogram, there are no recent sightings or fatalities from its bite in the district. He reassured the public that there is ample stock of antivenom in all district and upazila hospitals across the country.
Following recent deaths from Chandrabora bites in Manikganj, Jashore, and Dhaka, social media has been abuzz with posts about the “widespread presence” of Russell’s Viper in Bangladesh.
Mohammad Abdul Wahed Chowdhury, snake researcher and associate professor of zoology at Chittagong University, debunked claims that Chandraboras attack unprovoked and cause inevitable deaths. “Like other snakes, Russell’s Viper strikes only when threatened, often warning with a hiss beforehand. Its venom is not immediately fatal,” he said.
Professor Chowdhury added that over the past 20 years, Russell’s Viper has been sighted in limited areas across 25-26 districts along the Padma River, mostly in agricultural lands and dense vegetation. He stressed that the snake is unlikely to be present in the hilly regions of Chattogram and Sylhet due to unfavorable environmental conditions.
Experts warned that the killing of snakes disrupts the ecological balance. A decline in snake populations could lead to an increase in harmful insects and rodents, significantly impacting agricultural production, especially rice and wheat. Moreover, disrupting the food chain could have long-term consequences, including outbreaks of rodent-borne diseases.
The government and conservationists continue to work on raising public awareness to prevent unnecessary snake killings and protect biodiversity.
