Sunil Chadha
Dharamshala
Panic has gripped residents of Sirmaur in Himachal Pradesh once again as another massive King Cobra was spotted in the Girinagar forest range, just days after a similar 10-foot-long snake was rescued from the area.
The latest sighting has raised serious concerns about the increasing presence of these deadly reptiles in human-inhabited regions.
Back-to-back sightings in Sirmaur
The new King Cobra was found near an agricultural field in the Kotri Byas area, where frightened villagers immediately alerted the Forest Department.
A team, led by Range Officer Surendra Sharma and expert snake catcher Bhupendra, rushed to the location and managed to capture the giant King Cobra after an intense rescue operation. The reptile was later released safely into a protected forest.
Forest officials suspect that both King Cobras may have emerged from the dense forest belt connecting Himachal Pradesh to Uttarakhand, where the species is more commonly found. The department is now monitoring the region closely to prevent further encounters.
Where are the giant snakes coming from?
According to Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Aishwarya Rai, the rising temperature and deforestation in neighbouring areas might be pushing these giant snakes into new territories.
“King Cobras are not typically found in Himachal, but the dense forests of Sirmaur, bordering Uttarakhand, provide a suitable habitat for them. With increasing human activity and changing environmental conditions, they may be straying into populated areas,” she explained.
Third King Cobra spotted in three years
While this is the second sighting in a week, it is the third confirmed King Cobra encounter in Himachal Pradesh in recent years.
The species was previously spotted in Thandi (Malgi) in June 2021 and Jungleot village near Girinagar in October 2023.
The Forest Department has urged residents not to panic and to immediately report any snake sightings rather than attempting to handle the situation themselves. Awareness campaigns will be launched to educate people on how to stay safe and coexist with wildlife, said officials.
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