Pimpri-Chinchwad, 11th November 2025: Residents in rural parts of Pune district, particularly in Maval taluka, are reporting a sharp increase in sightings of Russell’s vipers — locally known as Ghonas — one of India’s most venomous snakes. The Maharashtra Forest Department has urged people to remain alert, warning that this is the reptile’s active mating season, when encounters tend to rise.
According to forest officials, Russell’s vipers are frequently spotted in and around farmlands and forested areas. The species is responsible for numerous snakebite deaths in India each year. During this period, male vipers often engage in combat over territory and mates, which explains why they are being found in pairs or groups near human settlements.
A senior forest officer said, “Between October and now, we have received around 50 rescue calls from the Maval region. Many snakes were safely captured and relocated to non-residential forest zones to avoid conflict.”
Nilesh Garade, founder of Wanyajeev Rakshak Maval, confirmed that his team alone has rescued over 50 Russell’s vipers in the past month. “All snakes were handled using safe methods with minimal human contact and released into the wild,” he said.
Why the Spike in Sightings
Farmers in Maval are currently engaged in paddy harvesting, a time when the vipers emerge from their burrows and are more likely to cross paths with humans. Experts say the combination of thick vegetation and warm soil creates ideal conditions for their activity. Reports have also emerged of vipers entering homes in villages near water bodies.
About the Russell’s Viper
Scientifically known as Daboia russelii, the Russell’s viper is among the “Big Four” venomous snakes of India — along with the spectacled cobra, common krait, and saw-scaled viper. It is a heavy-bodied snake with a triangular head and large brown oval spots outlined in black. Adults typically grow to about 1 to 1.5 metres in length.
When threatened, it emits a loud hissing sound similar to a pressure cooker’s whistle — a defensive warning signal. Its venom is hemotoxic, damaging blood cells and tissues, and can cause kidney failure or death within hours if left untreated. Survivors may suffer long-term complications such as tissue necrosis or organ damage.
What to Do If Bitten
Forest officials have issued clear instructions:
Stay calm and avoid unnecessary movement to slow venom circulation.
Do not cut, suck, or tie anything around the bite area.
Remove tight clothing or jewellery near the wound.
Immobilise the affected limb and seek immediate medical attention at a hospital equipped with anti-snake venom (ASV).
Polyvalent ASV is available at most government and private hospitals across Pune district.
Safety Advisory for Residents
Wildlife experts, including Jigar Solanki, have urged people in Maval to take preventive steps:
Keep surroundings clean and seal gaps or crevices in walls.
Use a flashlight at night and wear boots when walking near farms or ponds.
Sleep on raised surfaces with mosquito nets.
Avoid mistaking vipers for pythons and never attempt to catch or kill them.
Call trained rescuers or forest officers for help if a snake is spotted.
Forest officials emphasised that Russell’s vipers are nocturnal and often bask in open areas during the day. They warned citizens to respect the species’ space and maintain a safe distance, noting that conservation and safety can coexist through awareness and vigilance.
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