Hyderabad: Osmania University's Arts College building is facing a threat from snakes, particularly cobras. The reptiles regularly infiltrate the historic building’s basement which house the journalism and psychology departments.
Recently, a video surfaced showing a snake at the premises of the SBI located within the building and drew attention to the issue. According to students, despite the severity of the problem, the university has made insufficient efforts to secure the basement entrances.
The journalism and psychology departments, located in the dimly-lit and often neglected basement, are at the highest risk. "With dozens of students and staff members frequenting these departments, the threat of snake encounters has become a daily concern. It's especially terrifying for first-year students while seniors have reluctantly made peace with the danger," a student told Deccan Chronicle.
Ten days ago, a snake was found in the journalism department. Though the university administration has installed a wire mesh on the windows and covered the grill gate with a sheet, these measures have proved inadequate.
"The administration has taken some steps, like installing wire mesh on windows and covering the grill gate, which are helpful. We need more comprehensive solutions to ensure humans, flora and fauna co-exist," said Prof Ramakrishna of the Journalism department.
Students describe the basement as dark and dingy, worsening their fears of snake encounters. The existing mesh on the windows, intended to prevent snake entries, occasionally fails, allowing these reptiles to slip through. When snakes are spotted, a crew promptly removes them, but the underlying problem remains unresolved.
Many students are advocating for substantial actions, such as properly sealing the windows and other potential entry points. They argue that these measures are essential for their safety and well-being. "The university must implement actual plans like proper closures on windows to ensure our safety," a student said.
