# Seven snakes rescued from snake charmers ahead of Nagapanchami 2026-08-14T14:33:54+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Friends of Snakes Society (FOSS) and the Telangana Forest Department rescued seven snakes, including four Spectacled Cobras, from snake charmers in Hyderabad and Maheshwaram on August 14, ahead of Nagapanchami on August 17. The snakes were taken for treatment and will be released in suitable habitats. FOSS urged the public not to support snake charmers and warned that feeding milk to snakes can cause serious health problems as they do not naturally consume it. The Indian cobra is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, attracting up to seven years in prison and fines from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh for repeat offenders. Citizens can report illegal snake handling to the forest department or FOSS. ## Coverage - telanganatoday.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: Friends of Snakes Society, Hyderabad, Telangana Forest Department Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/seven-snakes-rescued-from-charmers-ahead-of-nagapanchami/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/seven-snakes-rescued-from-charmers-ahead-of-nagapanchami/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.