"The snake is a very beautiful animal. If it is not disturbed, it does little harm to anyone. But the mindset of most people in our country is that any snake, venomous or not, must be killed on sight. Yet we fail to understand the importance of snakes in nature and in farming."

So said Tarek Aziz (22), known as the 'friend of snakes' in Mirsharai upazila of Chattogram. When people see a snake, they rush to kill it, but this young man comes forward to save it. Catching snakes and releasing them into the forest has become his passion.

Since childhood, Tarek Aziz felt pity whenever he saw a snake, and seeing one killed made his heart ache. Being young, he did not then have the courage to protest everywhere, but as he grew older he looked for ways to protect snakes. The young man from Uttar Dhum village in No. 4 Dhum union of Mirsharai is now known in his area as the 'friend of snakes'. He is currently a skilled member of Snake Rescue Team Bangladesh.

Tarek Aziz is the youngest of four brothers and a sister. He is a second-year degree student at Joynal Hazari Degree College in Feni. In the past year he has rescued and released 15 snakes of various species from different parts of Mirsharai upazila. He also works to save other animals in danger.

Tarek Aziz said that a few years ago, to learn about snakes, he joined 'Shap Shomossa Protikar', a Facebook group from West Bengal in India, where he learned a great deal about rescuing and protecting snakes. He later joined Snake Rescue Team Bangladesh, and as an active member he now works to rescue and protect snakes. He has also completed a three-month online training course with the organisation.

Md Didarul Alam, a resident of Uttar Dhum, said Tarek Aziz is known throughout Mirsharai as the friend of snakes. Whenever a venomous snake is seen at a home, he is called. People in the area have become much more aware through his work. Lately, because of Russell's vipers, people panic when they see a snake and call him, he said.

Asked about his interest in snakes, Tarek Aziz said: "At first my family stood in my way, and people in society looked at me askance. But people's attitudes have changed day by day. Siddiqur Rahman bhai, founder of Snake Rescue Team, gives me every kind of support. I request everyone not to kill a snake on sight. If it is venomous, let us know. We will free you from the danger of snakes free of charge."

Siddiqur Rahman, founder of Snake Rescue Team Bangladesh, said Tarek Aziz of Mirsharai is a keen member of the organisation whose work is praised by all. Since it was founded in 2020, the organisation has had 200 active members in 40 districts, and this year it has rescued more than 1,500 snakes across the country. Workers like Tarek Aziz are the strength of the movement, he said.

"Nobody should kill a snake on sight; snakes keep the environment in balance," he added. "Instead of killing it, inform our members and they will catch it and release it into the forest."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.