MARGAO
Acting on complaints from local residents, Forest Department officials on Thursday rescued a python from the Public Works Department (PWD) storage yard in Fatorda. Locals said the yard had turned into a shelter for reptiles.
The rescue was carried out jointly by Forest officials and the PWD after residents shared a video with district authorities showing large reptiles moving among unused water pipes stored on the property. The video reportedly showed five to six pythons in the yard.
Following the complaint, South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus directed Deputy Collector Ganesh Barve to take up the matter with the Forest Department for inspection and action.
Animal rescuer Julio Quadros, who assisted in the operation, said only one python was rescued on Thursday, though more were seen in the video. The operation began after residents filed formal complaints.
Local resident Ketan Narvekar said the reptiles’ presence near homes had created fear among families. He added that the unused pipes should be removed and the yard cleaned regularly to prevent it from becoming a permanent habitat.
Forest officials will conduct further inspections to ensure the area is safe.
