Hyderabad, Aug. 17 -- Seventeen cobras have been rescued by the Forest Department during special checks conducted ahead of Nag Panchami, as officials stepped up surveillance to prevent the capture, trafficking and ill-treatment of snakes during the festival.

Eight special teams comprising anti-poaching squads, local forest personnel and representatives of voluntary organisations have been deployed in Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Sangareddy districts. Around 25 members of the Friends of Snakes Society are assisting forest officials in conducting surprise checks at major temples, markets and transport hubs to identify and rescue snakes held by snake charmers.

The Forest Department has also launched awareness programmes at prominent temples, ...