THE Snake WHISPERER

SNAKEMAN ROMULUS WHITAKER'S MEMOIR TAKES READERS ON A JOURNEY THROUGH HIS LIFE, DELVING INTO HURDLES SUCH AS HABITAT DEGRADATION AND CULTURAL DISPARITIES CONCERNING WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

- KARTIKEYA SHANKAR

IMAGINE A CHILDHOOD FUELLED BY a deep love for the wild, nurtured in the American countryside and blossoming into a lifelong dedication to India's incredible wildlife, particularly its most misunderstood creatures-snakes. This is the world of herpetologist Romulus Whitaker, the "Snakeman of India," whose recently released memoir, "Snakes, Drugs And Rock 'N' Roll," co-authored by journalist and writer Janaki Lenin, offers a glimpse into his journey.

"I didn't give myself the nickname 'Snakeman of India! However, having established India's first Snake Park over five decades ago and dedicating years to documenting and studying the reptiles through writing and filming, the title naturally stuck to me," said the American-born Indian wildlife conservationist while speaking to OT.

Whitaker attributes his fascination with the natural world to a healthy dose of childhood rebellion. Disenchanted with academics, he found solace in the untamed beauty of wild places and creatures. This passion intensified when his family moved to India, which he fondly calls "the land of cobras." The book chronicles this early exposure to snakes, sparking a lifelong love affair that continues to shape his work.

DIGGING DEEPER

The book also explores the challenges faced by local communities that coexist with wild animals, highlighting the need for solutions that address their concerns. Whitaker points to the reverence for cobras in certain regions as a prime example.

"There are villages in West Bengal's Bardhaman District where people live with cobras. The cobras are so comfortable with people that they don’t even spread their hoods when encountered. We can learn a lot from these people and snakes to reduce the tremendous snakebite problem in India," he said.