Forest dept. seeks speedy ro-ro ferry access for snake rescuers in Kochi

The Kerala Forest department has approached the Kochi Corporation with a request to ensure speedy access for snake rescue volunteers to the Vypeen–Fort Kochi Ro-Ro ferry service.The Deputy Conservator of Forest has submitted an application seeking special permission for the volunteers to bypass the regular queue and gain direct entry into the ro-ro service, considering the emergency nature of their work. Venomous snakes such as Russell’s viper are frequently sighted in the Kochi region.The volunteers are mostly from Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Palluruthy, Vypeen, and Thoppumpady regions. The Corporation Council will consider the application at its next meeting.Snakes to be rescued are safely bagged and deposited either at the shelter in Kochi or handed over to the Social Forestry department in Edappally. Published - May 14, 2026 09:22 pm IST