Until a few months ago, individuals in New Town held various professions such as farmers, pest control experts, and security guards responsible for monitoring visitors in housing complexes. However, due to a significant increase in snake sightings and snakebites, many have changed their occupations to become snake catchers. This demand for snake catchers has led apartment complexes in the smart city to hire them as part of their staff.

One of these snake catchers, Prasenjit Mondal, used to work as a farmer in Burdwan and grew up encountering and handling snakes in the fields. A friend connected him with a housekeeping staff provider that was seeking professional snake catchers for housing complexes in New Town. Prasenjit’s current role involves capturing snakes within the complex premises and ensuring their safety until forest officials arrive to take them away. He is currently stationed in Uniworld City in New Town.

Another snake catcher, Abhijit Mondal, previously worked as a pest control expert for multiple complexes in New Town. While spraying insecticides in the complex gardens, he occasionally came across snakes but was not afraid of them like his colleagues. When the demand for snake catchers increased during the monsoon season, Abhijit received proper training and transitioned into the role. He now receives calls from housing complexes without snake catchers. Although the job can be risky, Abhijit believes that snakes can be captured without harm by utilizing the correct techniques and precautions.

The presence of poisonous snakes such as the common krait and Russell’s viper is common in New Town, particularly during the summer and monsoon seasons. This is largely due to the large grassy plots and water bodies present in the township. To address this issue, complexes in New Town, including Uniworld City, Balaka Abasan, Mallika Malancha Abasan, Moon Beam, Sukhabrishti, Hiland Willows, Elita Garden Vista, and New Town Heights, have taken several measures. These include procuring anti-venom vials, hiring snake catchers, and arranging awareness sessions with herpetologists. Additionally, some complexes have restricted outdoor activities for children, while others have trained their security guards to catch snakes.

Sanjay Pandey, a security guard at DCL Mallika Malancha complex, expresses pride in rescuing snakes before they are killed out of fear. Having witnessed snakes in the shrubs long before New Town was established, he believes that humans have encroached on their territory. Sanjay has undergone training to effectively handle snake encounters.

Snake catchers employed by housing complexes in New Town earn between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000 per month. They are provided with boots, gloves, snake-catching rods, and bins to temporarily house the captured snakes before they are handed over to the foresters.

Unfortunately, New Town has recently witnessed the tragic deaths of two individuals due to snakebites. On July 2, a 22-year-old UPSC examinee from UP lost his life, and two weeks later, a 27-year-old suffered a similar fate.