Skilled and Brave Snake Rescuer Mohammed Nurjamal of Kaziranga :
Mohammed Nurjamal is a home guard posted at Bokakhat Forest Range under the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Over the past eight years, he has captured and rescued 1,020 snakes—both venomous and non-venomous—making him indispensable for Bokakhat and Kaziranga. Whenever a snake enters someone’s house in Bokakhat or Kaziranga, Nurjamal is the one people rely on.
Hailing from Samaguri in Nagaon, Nurjamal joined Kaziranga National Park as a home guard in 2008 and has been serving at Bokakhat Forest Range ever since. Typically, when snakes are spotted in residential areas, calls are made to the DFO control room. From there, messages are sent to the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre at Borjuri, near the control room. Since 2018, Nurjamal has taken it upon himself to respond immediately, rescuing snakes and releasing them back into the forest.
Despite the risks to his own life, Nurjamal has never hesitated to rescue snakes from people’s homes. Recognizing his courage, Kaziranga Director Dr. Sonali Ghosh sent him for two specialized snake-rescue training programs. “Initially, I used to catch snakes barehanded, but after training I now use specially prepared protective gloves,” Nurjamal explained. Since handling snakes barehanded is prohibited—because snakes are cold-blooded animals and humans are warm-blooded—he now strictly uses protective gear.
Among the 1,020 snakes he has rescued, there have even been king cobras. Nurjamal himself has been bitten twice during rescues and had to take anti-venom treatment. Beyond rescues, Nurjamal also raises awareness about snake conservation. He educates people that snakes should not be captured unnecessarily and their habitats should not be disturbed. With training and equipment provided by the Forest Department, Nurjamal is now recognized as a skilled snake rescuer.
In addition to snakes, he is adept at rescuing other distressed wildlife as well, making him an indispensable and well-known figure in Bokakhat Forest Range. Today, Nurjamal is respected as a brave and skilled wildlife rescuer.
