In the quiet coastal villages of Ganjam district, snakes were once seen as messengers of death. Whenever one slithered into a home, a paddy field, or a fisherman’s hut, the cry would go up — “Maro! Maro!” — and sticks, stones, and machetes would swiftly end its life.
Fear ruled. Until one man decided enough was enough. For over two decades, Ganapati Sahu has stood as a gentle yet fearless bridge between humans and snakes. With deep compassion and extraordinary courage, he has transformed the relationship between people and these misunderstood reptiles in his region — turning panic and violence into awareness and coexistence.
In a candid conversation with Ommcom News, Sahu opens up about his extraordinary journey — a passionate crusade that has seen him personally rescue and safely release more than 7,000 to 8,000 snakes over the years. From deadly cobras and kraits to giant pythons, Sahu has risked his life time and again, fighting not just to save the reptiles, but to change the deeply rooted fear and hatred towards them in rural Odisha.
It all started in the late 1990s when Sahu, a resident of Ramayapatna village under Chikiti block, noticed something that deeply disturbed him. Fishermen would cover their huts with nets to keep wild animals out. Snakes, which entered in search of rats and frogs, would get entangled in the nets and become easy targets. Villagers would beat them to death without mercy.“It hurt me deeply,” Sahu remembers.
“These snakes had done nothing wrong. They were just following their nature. I couldn’t bear to watch them being killed so brutally. That emotional trigger pushed me into action. In 2007, I formally began snake rescue work. Long before that, since 1996, I had already been involved in sea turtle conservation. But snakes became my true calling”, he said.
Over the past 15 years, Sahu has rescued and safely released more than 7,000 to 8,000 snakes. This includes venomous species like cobras and kraits, as well as around 100 pythons, vipers, and sand boas. He works in close coordination with the Forest Department, ensuring every snake is released into a suitable natural habitat far from human settlements. But Sahu’s mission is not just about saving snakes — it is equally about saving human lives. In remote villages where medical help is hours away, he has become a trusted first responder. When someone is bitten, Sahu rushes to the spot, often late at night, calms the family, and personally arranges emergency transport to the hospital. His timely interventions have helped save many lives. His own body bears witness to his dedication.
Sahu has been bitten twice by King Cobras. Yet, thanks to his knowledge of immediate remedies and quick medical attention, he survived. These close encounters only strengthened his resolve.
“A turning point in my journey came when Pratyush P Mohapatra, a PhD scholar from the Zoology Department of Utkal University, visited my village for research. Mohapatra became my mentor and guide, teaching me how to identify venomous and non-venomous snakes and explaining their behaviour. The most important lesson I learned was simple yet powerful: ‘Snakes never attack unless they are harmed or threatened’. Armed with this knowledge, I launched widespread awareness campaigns across Ganjam district, recalled Sahu on asking about his initial days as a snake rescuer.
He visited schools, fishing hamlets, and village meetings, teaching people how to identify snakes, what to do during encounters, and why traditional remedies can be dangerous. Slowly but steadily, attitudes began to change. Today, the impact of his tireless work is visible. In many villages where snakes were once killed on sight, people now call Sahu for help.
Reports of snake killings have dropped significantly. Farmers, fishermen, and families have started cooperating in rescue operations instead of reaching for weapons.
Beyond snakes, Sahu continues his broader conservation work. He works on turtle protection, sparrow conservation, beach cleaning drives, and biodiversity education. However, it is his snake rescue and awareness efforts that have made him a local legend.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to wildlife conservation, the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department of Odisha government has honoured him with the Sub-Divisional Level Biju Patnaik Award for Wildlife Conservation.
Sahu’s story is a powerful reminder that real conservation does not always need big institutions or massive funds. Sometimes, it begins with one man’s empathy, courage, and refusal to accept fear as the only way of living with wildlife. In a time when human-wildlife conflict is increasing across India, Sahu’s journey from the villages of Ganjam offers a beautiful lesson — that fear can be replaced with understanding, and coexistence is possible when someone is willing to lead with both heart and action.
By Rashmi Rekha Das
