Megha Srivastava is like any other 19-year-old college-going girl. Her love for snakes sets her apart. A B.Com (Part-II) student of Jamshedpur Women’s College, Megha is an aspiring snake-catcher and has been training under Mithilesh Srivastava alias Chhotu, a pro at the job, for the last two months.
The teenager has already captured common Indian kraits, rat snake and rattlesnake ever since she started picking up the tricks of the trade.
Faced with the deadly reptiles, that can strike terror in anybody’s heart, Megha is incredibly composed.
“I am very passionate about snakes. They also have the right to live, but people tend to kill snakes the moment they spot them. I think differently. I catch snakes and release them in the jungles,” Megha, a resident of Railway Traffic Colony in Bagbera, said.
She accompanies her mentor Mithilesh to homes where snakes have been spotted and rescues them.
“I am not an expert in catching snakes, but I am fast learning the tricks. I have so far captured and released rattlesnakes, rat snakes and common Indian krait under the guidance of my mentor,” Megha said.
Initially, Megha’s parents were opposed to their daughter’s fondness for snakes, but slowly relented.
“My parents still scold me because they know that dealing with snakes can sometime prove fatal. But, unlike others, I don’t get paralysed with fear at the sight of these reptiles. I love them and want to do some serious work in their conservation,” the teenager said.
Megha said Mithilesh didn’t want her to catch poisonous snakes, but she was adamant.
“I love to accept challenges. I want to continue doing the job even after getting married,” Megha added.
Mithilesh said his student was very stubborn.
“She accompanies me during snake-catching missions in and around the city. I ask her not to trap venomous snakes, but she never listens. It’s a very risky job and one needs to be very fit and agile,” Mithilesh, also a resident of Bagbera, said.
Mithilesh ensures that Megha wears boots and carries a tong, a hook, gloves and a sack.
“These are essential for catching snakes,” the mentor said.
