One of the city’s top real estate developers, Jain Group, hosted a seminar titled Coexisting With Snakes In Urban Spaces to discuss the increasing conflict between urban communities and reptiles brought on by the fast urbanization of newly developed residential areas. The program was created to address and advance awareness-driven coexistence, promote responsible urban living, and develop a better understanding of the interactions between humans and reptiles in quickly growing cities.

The seminar was graced by Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director ZSI, and Tarun Jyoti Tewari, MLA, Rajarhat Gopalpur, Government of West Bengal.

The key speakers included Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director ZSI; Mr Ardhendu Das Mahapatra, PhD Scholar (UGC-SRF), Reptilia Section, FPS building, ZSI; Mr Biswajit Roy Chowdhury, Nature & Wildlife Conservationist; Mr Saurabh Ray, Founder, MONOSHA Biotech, Snake Research Institute; Ms Neha Garodia, Co-Founder, MONOSHA Biotech, Snake Research Institute; Mr Shrayans Jain, Vice Chairman, Jain Group; Mr Rishi Jain, Managing Director, Jain Group & Mr Shiladitya Chaudhury, Foodpreneur & Nature & Wildlife Conservationist. They discussed how humans and snakes can coexist and avoid conflict in urban environments.

The first session, Living In Harmony with Nature, laid the groundwork for discussions about incorporating ecological responsibility into models of urban growth. Additionally, a live demonstration session empowered citizens with knowledge and readiness by offering helpful advice on safe practices during snake encounters. Scientific sessions addressed myths, facts, and behavioural understanding of snakes, helping to replace fear with awareness and promoting informed coexistence. The introduction of public awareness resources enhanced long-term effects and community involvement.

The seminar provided a forum for experts, conservationists, and industry leaders to engage in meaningful biodiversity conservation discussions while focusing on the development of sustainable and ecologically balanced cities. The seminar also discussed how informed communities, responsible governance, and collaborative action can reduce conflict, improve safety, and create healthy urban ecosystems.

This initiative strengthens Jain Group’s commitment to developing environmentally conscious urban communities. Coexisting with Snakes in Urban Spaces arose not just as a seminar, but as a forum for dialogue, education, and action, propelling cities toward a future in which development and nature coexist in harmony.

Priyanka Dutta