Giant African snails invade Konni

PATHANAMTHITTA: With the onset of summer rain, the giant African snail menace has become a major environmental as well as health and hygiene problem at Konni and surrounding areas.

The fast multiplication of snails has become a major problem facing the villagers residing in the forest fringes of Pathanamthitta district.

The worst-affected areas are wards 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17 in Konni panchayat. These creatures creep into houses to feed on cement and lime as they require large amount of calcium. They also feed on vegetation posing threat to forest environs.

The snails even creep into kitchens and rooms. The menace is fast spreading to the adjoining panchayats.

Experts say snails cannot survive in hot climate, especially above 30 degree centigrade.

Burrows on trees and rocks are the day-time hideout of these creatures. Their movement in clusters, riding on each other's back, has become a common scene during night in the infested areas.

The Konni grama panchayat and the Kudumbasree self-help group had jointly launched a snail eradication campaign in the panchayat on Thursday. Members of the team sprinkle common salt and spray a liquid mixture of tobacco, copper sulphate, and salt at their hideouts for mass eradication. The snails killed thus are buried in different localities.

Villagers said the snails were found perching on giant coconut trees to feed on tender palm leaves. They also feed on tender leaves of papaya, tapioca, banana trees and all sorts of vegetable during night, ultimately destroying the farm.

The eradication drive would continue, the panchayat authorities said.

It is believed that African snails had reached Konni along with timber consignments from Malaysia as early as 2005.

Source: The Hindu May 01, 2011