Bettiah: In the forest-fringe villages of West Champaran along the India-Nepal border, 55-year-old Janaki Devi is known simply as the “Snake Lady”.A resident of Bisaha village in the Valmiki Nagar region, Janaki has spent more than four decades rescuing venomous snakes free of cost. Despite having no formal education, she has rescued thousands of snakes, including cobras, king cobras and pythons, earning admiration from villagers and forest officials alike.Whenever a snake enters a house in the area, residents either call Janaki or fetch her personally. Arriving on her bicycle, she safely captures the reptile and releases it into the forest. Her two sons have also learnt the skill and now assist her in rescue operations.Tajmun Khatoon, a resident of neighbouring Charghariya village, said Janaki never hesitates when help is needed.“Didi is very brave and can catch any kind of snake. Whenever someone needs help, she arrives on her bicycle. Recently, a black cobra appeared near my house. I called Didi, and she caught it and released it into the forest,” she said.Valmikinagar panchayat head Pannalal Sah praised her dedication to both people and wildlife.“She protects both people and wildlife,” Sah said.“She has saved many lives by catching large snakes. Risking her own life for social service without charging a fee is truly commendable.”Janaki’s remarkable journey began when she was just 12 years old. Since then, she claims to have been bitten by snakes more than 50 times. While most bites had little effect, she said bites on Tuesdays or Sundays sometimes create a sensation “akin to intoxication”.Her bond with snakes remains extraordinary.“I have caught thousands of snakes,” she said. “Whether it is a cobra, a king cobra, a python, or any other snake, they stop in front of me and begin to circle around me.”Her work has helped spread awareness about snake conservation and reduced fear of reptiles across dozens of villages in the region.Nearly a decade ago, her unusual story drew the attention of the Discovery Channel, which offered her a job. Janaki, however, chose to remain in her village and continue serving her community after her family advised her against accepting the offer.
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