‘Living with Pythons’ is a nationwide initiative, which kick-starts in 2017,to create awareness and instill appreciation about India’s three Python species.

These include the Indian Rock Python (Python molurus), Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) and Reticulated python (Python reticulatus).

I must add here that the three python species that inhabit the Indian sub continent are amongst the largest and longest snakes of the world. Neglected, misunderstood and wantonly persecuted they are now on the endangered species list. Poaching for skins, superstitions and loss of habitat have resulted in alarming drop in numbers. There is no comprehensive data available on biology and ecology too.

This initiative aims to promote acceptance and understanding about Indian pythons through conservation outreach, community engagement and field based herpetology techniques.

Some of the biggest names in reptile conservation and wildlife photography have come together to contribute their images for the first time towards ‘Malabar Pit Viper- Wonder of the Western Ghats’ the photography exhibition. 30 hi definition archival quality images. 1 endemic venomous snake of national importance. A rare opportunity to observe, appreciate and acquire wildlife art of international repute. Mark your dates 14^th 15^th and 16^th of July 2017. Art Gallery. Art and Culture Department, Goa. India. 

World Croc Day is a global awareness campaign to highlight the plight of endangered crocodiles and alligators around the world and get people involved.

In Goa we have a one single crocodile species and this is a very unique population of Muggers (Crocodylus palustris). The species faces challenges from several quarters, on a daily basis, for survival. It is also a Schedule 1 species under the WPA 1972.

Crocodiles form an important part of an aquatic system and are an apex predator in that system. Threats to the species can cause an upheaval in the system itself and effects can spread out far beyond just the place they live in.

We seek your support to celebrate World Croc Day on 17^th June 2017 to create awareness about this magnificent species. We would like to take this opportunity to create awareness about crocodiles and their habitats (rivers and wetlands, etc.) and also how an individual can be a part of a conservation effort.

All python species are non-venomous snakes that can cause no harm to human lives. This is fact that still needs to be understood in states across the country. Please help me spread this fact amongst urban as well as rural India.
Pythons do not swallow children, and humans are not a part of their natural diet. This is what needs to be understood. We need to be proud that some of the world’s largest pythons inhabit Indian habitats and that we share our environs with them.

Greetings of the New Year!!

Living with Pythons 2017.

‘Living with Pythons’ is a nationwide initiative kick started in 2017 by Nirmal U Kulkarni, Goa based herpetologist and wildlife photographer to create awareness and instill appreciation about India’s 3 Python species. These include the Indian Rock Python (Python molurus), Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) and Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus).

Together, these snakes represent some of the largest snake species of the world. While the Reticulated python is now acknowledged as one of the largest snakes in the world, the Burmese python is a near threatened species in its range in Burma. Illegal skin trade and habitat loss have taken a heavy toll and one ray of hope is forest of North East India where few populations survive.

The species found in Goa, and across the Indian mainland commonly, The Indian Rock python has been now accepted as threatened due to human reptile conflict and habitat loss.

This initiative aims to thus promote acceptance, awareness and understanding about these python species through conservation outreach and field based herpetology techniques.

The initiative aims to achieve these objectives through on field discussions, engagements with communities, youth and Forest Department personnel.

This project will also contribute to creating awareness on the issue of human- snake conflicts that are key to python survival in human dominated rural and urban landscapes.

A specific target group of reptile enthusiasts and amateur snake handlers and rescuers in the states of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra will also be sensitized on these ecologically important species.

Beside which the initiative proposes to address a need for a common protocol for Python rescue and release, as it will help minimize and address issues relating reptile-human conflict and provide vital answers to this growing challenge especially in urban India.

The illustration for the logo has been done by wildlife artist Nitesh Parulekar while the design has been executed by Printer’s Devils, Porvorim, Goa. The illustration is the head representation of the Indian rock python.

On a personal level, Nirmal Kulkarni, Team Lead and herpetologist states that he has dedicated the year 2017 for the cause of Indian python species and seeks support from the public to support this initiatiave.

Thanks and cheers

Nirmal Kulkarni

Team Lead

‘Living with Pythons’