Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Russell Viper Found in Bengal Tribal School Classroom
Forest officials found and rescued a female Russell Viper from a classroom in a school in Galsi, Bengal.
The snake frightened children and teachers.
The school has 66 students.
Its walls and floors are badly damaged and may collapse.
Snakes have reportedly entered the classrooms six times.
A nearby pond may be helping snakes reach the school, especially during the monsoon.
Teachers check the rooms before allowing children inside.
One day earlier, a Class I student at another school in Kolkata was bitten by a snake.
Doctors confirmed the injury was a snake bite but could not determine whether the snake was poisonous.
Forest officials rescued a female Russell Viper from a classroom at Khetura Adivasi Primary School in Galsi on Tuesday.
The school has 66 students and its mud-walled classrooms have cracks, sinking floors, and serious structural damage.
Teachers said venomous snakes have appeared in the classrooms six times, with Russell’s Vipers and cobras seen nearby.
The school is beside a large pond whose erosion during the monsoon may be contributing to frequent snake sightings.
A Class I student was bitten by a snake at a separate Kolkata school on Monday and was taken to SSKM Hospital.
- Who
- Forest officials, students, teachers, and school authorities at Khetura Adivasi Primary School; a Class I student at Bhawanipur Mitra Institution was also bitten in a separate incident.
- What
- A female Russell Viper was rescued from a classroom, while a separate student suffered a snake bite at another school.
- When
- The Russell Viper was rescued on Tuesday; the separate snake-bite incident occurred on Monday.
- Where
- Khetura Adivasi Primary School in Galsi-II block, Purba Bardhaman, Bengal; the other incident occurred at Bhawanipur Mitra Institution in south Kolkata.
- Why
- Frequent snake sightings were linked in local reports to the school’s location beside a pond and monsoon erosion; the school building is also severely damaged.
- Rescued snake
- A female Russell Viper
- School
- Khetura Adivasi Primary School
- Location
- Galsi-II block, Purba Bardhaman, Bengal
- Student population
- 66 children
- Reported snake appearances
- Six appearances in the classroom, according to a teacher
- Building condition
- Mud-walled classrooms are sinking, with cracks in the walls and floor
- Separate bite incident
- A Class I student at Bhawanipur Mitra Institution was taken to SSKM Hospital within 15 to 20 minutes