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Misinformation on Russell’s Viper Leads to Snake Killings in Ctg, Experts Warn
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.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
