Sylhet, Aug 10 (V7N) — Venomous snakes and other wildlife are increasingly being spotted in human settlements across Bangladesh’s Sylhet region, raising concerns among residents and wildlife conservationists about shrinking natural habitats, food shortages and growing human-wildlife conflict.

The situation appears particularly noticeable in Moulvibazar, where extensive hills, forests and tea gardens provide important habitats for a wide range of wildlife. Similar incidents have also been reported from parts of Habiganj, Sunamganj and Sylhet districts, where forested and hilly areas are located close to human settlements.

One of the most visible examples is the increasing presence of large Indian rock pythons in areas surrounding Lawachara National Park in Kamalganj. The protected forest is regarded as an important wildlife habitat, but residents of villages and tea garden communities near Sreemangal and Kamalganj say large pythons are now being found more frequently in courtyards, poultry farms, bamboo groves, tea gardens and areas surrounding the Hail Haor wetland.

Residents have reported seeing pythons measuring between 12 and 18 feet in length, creating concern in communities located close to forest areas.

Ten pythons rescued in two months

According to information provided by the Bangladesh Wildlife Service Foundation, the Forest Department and local volunteer groups, at least 10 pythons were rescued from different areas of Sreemangal and Kamalganj during June and July.

The rescued snakes were reportedly between 12 and 18 feet long and weighed approximately 20 to 30 kilogrammes.

Four pythons were rescued from different locations in Sreemangal in June. Another was rescued from Bhurbhurichhara Tea Garden on July 9.

Two more were rescued separately from Bharura Tea Garden and the Sindurkhan area on July 16. Another was rescued from North Bharura on July 21. On July 28, rescuers recovered two additional pythons — one from Phulbari Tea Garden in Kamalganj and another from Jagchhara Tea Garden in Sreemangal.

In most cases, residents alerted wildlife rescuers after discovering the snakes. Rescue teams subsequently captured the animals and, in coordination with the Forest Department, released them into suitable protected forest areas.

Concerns over a disrupted forest food chain

Wildlife conservation volunteers say the increasing presence of large snakes near settlements may indicate deeper ecological problems.

Chanchal Goala, a member of the volunteer team of the Creative Conservation Alliance, said animals that were once commonly seen around forest edges have become increasingly difficult to find.

“The forest food chain is under pressure,” he said, adding that pythons may be moving closer to settlements because poultry and domestic animals provide easily accessible sources of food.

Local residents also point to deforestation, the loss of fruit-bearing trees and the destruction of natural cavities and shelter areas as possible reasons for the decline of suitable wildlife habitat.

Pressure on Lawachara’s ecosystem

Lawachara National Park is one of the most important protected forest areas in the Sylhet region. Its rich biodiversity and scenic landscape make it a major attraction for both domestic and international visitors.

However, environmental activists have raised concerns about increasing pressure on the forest over the past several decades. They allege that forest encroachment, unauthorised settlements, expansion of commercial plantations and the felling of valuable trees have contributed to the degradation and fragmentation of natural habitats.

Such changes can reduce the availability of food and shelter for wildlife and force animals to move beyond traditional forest boundaries.

Roads and railway lines add to wildlife risks

Human infrastructure also poses a significant challenge.

A road connecting Sreemangal and Kamalganj passes through the Lawachara forest area, while a major railway route between Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram also crosses the wider forest landscape.

Wildlife workers say animals moving between different parts of the forest frequently encounter roads and railway tracks, exposing them to the risk of collisions. Snakes, civets, monkeys and other wildlife have reportedly died after being struck by vehicles or trains at different times.

Conservationists warn that such incidents further increase pressure on already vulnerable wildlife populations.

Why are wild animals entering settlements?

The Sreemangal-Kamalganj area contains forests, hills, tea gardens and other natural habitats that support pythons, monkeys, fishing cats, civets, snakes and numerous bird species.

But the expansion of settlements, illegal structures, forest encroachment and commercial land use has reduced the available space for wildlife, according to environmental activists.

As natural food sources and safe shelter become less available, animals may increasingly move towards tea gardens, villages and areas close to roads in search of food and protection.

Some animals entering settlements are killed by people who fear them. Others are rescued after residents contact wildlife organisations or the Forest Department.

Wildlife advocates say public awareness is therefore essential to reducing unnecessary harm to animals.

Experts warn against viewing rescues as the whole solution

Wildlife specialists say pythons primarily feed on animals such as rodents, birds, junglefowl and small mammals. A decline in the availability of prey, combined with habitat loss, may encourage them to move towards areas inhabited by people.

They caution that the rising number of snake rescues in Sreemangal and Kamalganj should not be viewed solely as evidence of successful rescue operations. It may also indicate increasing ecological pressure on the surrounding forests.

According to conservationists, long-term solutions require the protection and restoration of natural habitats, preservation of food sources and stronger measures against illegal forest encroachment.

Forest Department response

Kazi Nazmul Haque, a range officer with the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division in Moulvibazar, said recent heavy rainfall and increased water flow through forest streams may have contributed to the movement of pythons towards human settlements.

He said tea gardens can also provide relatively sheltered areas for the animals.

The Forest Department is conducting awareness activities and encouraging residents to contact officials rather than attempting to kill or capture snakes themselves, he said.

Earlier this year, local lawmaker Alhaj Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury reportedly visited Lawachara National Park and surrounding forest areas and expressed concern over alleged forest encroachment, illegal commercial structures and deforestation.

He called for legal action against encroachers, recovery of occupied forest land and stronger measures to protect the park’s biodiversity and natural environment.

Protecting forests is the long-term solution

The rescue of 10 pythons in just two months represents more than a series of isolated incidents, conservationists say. It highlights the growing interaction between wildlife and human settlements around one of the country’s important forest ecosystems.

Wildlife rescue operations can provide immediate protection for individual animals, but they cannot address the underlying causes of habitat loss.

Experts say effective conservation will require stronger protection of forest land, removal of illegal structures, restoration of degraded habitats, preservation of natural food sources and better management of roads, railways and commercial activities around protected forests.

Without such measures, conservationists warn, encounters between people and wildlife are likely to increase, placing both communities and wildlife at greater risk.

For Sylhet’s forest ecosystems, the challenge is therefore not simply keeping snakes away from villages. It is ensuring that wildlife still has enough safe habitat, food and natural space to remain in the forests where it belongs.

END/AKR/SMA/