In this episode of Women For The Planet, we follow snake rescuer Vanita Borade as she sets off to rescue a snake spotted in a nearby village. As we follow her and watch her fearlessly rescue a rat snake outside a small shop, curious onlookers quickly gather to watch what's happening. Everyone seems fascinated by how naturally this comes to Borade, as she holds up the snake before storing it away to release it in the wild.
In a quiet village in Buldhana, Maharashtra, snake rescuer Vanita Borade is famously known as 'Sarp Mitra' or ‘snake friend’. She explains how she started snake rescues as early as age 10, watching and learning from her tribal friends and their parents. Growing up close to nature, surrounded by the jungle, rivers, streams and hills, Borade found herself feeling empathetic towards the snakes that would often be killed when found in village homes or farms. This empathy, however, was often met with superstitions and judgement from society. 'Catching' snakes was, after all, the work of snake charmers or brave men.
Borade defied these expectations and went ahead with what she knew to be her calling. She continued her rescues wherever she went and made spreading awareness her priority. From talking to school children about snakes and their ecological importance to distributing a snake awareness calendar, information has become one of Borade's most important pillars of work. Those who have witnessed Borade rescue first-hand, have now begun urging others around them not to kill the snakes as well, and call her instead.
She now gets hundreds of calls and hopes to help rehabilitate these reptiles and many other wildlife in even greater numbers.
About Women for the Planet:
'Women for the Planet' is Her Circle's inspiring video series that aims to highlight the extraordinary contributions of women towards protecting and preserving the planet. These women, from diverse backgrounds and regions, are driving change in unique ways- reviving traditional crafts, championing sustainable practices, uplifting their communities, and redefining what it means to live in harmony with nature. With the series, the goal is to foster awareness and appreciation for women-led sustainability efforts and inspire action through relatable stories of resilience and innovation.