Odisha: Snehashree or ‘Shero’, a One-Person Army for Conservation of Nature

Known as the ‘Shero’ of the woods, Snehashree is a conservationist of a different kind who always has one ear on the ground and eyes like that of an eagle from above.

Wherever she is, she remains concerned about the species on the ground and the ones who wander in the skies of toxicity as their shelters – the trees and forests -- are virtually disappearing. 

A unique soul, Snehashree is a one-person brigade of nature lovers, and today has a caravan of millions of species and thousands of people following her, at a time when even birds and snakes are in a state of threat, gasping to breathe amidst a concrete invasion.

“The damage that is done, is done.  We have to be compassionate for those who survive and co-exist with us and still look upon us as the only living beings gifted with the wisdom to realise the challenges they face” Snehashree said while talking to NewsClick.

Born to a poor tribal family in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, a picturesque place on earth, Snehashree grew amidst woods and wildlife species. She is called the ‘Shero’ of the woods, as she listens to them.

The signature passion she nurtured from her childhood was the need for trees and that remained deeply etched in her psyche. She started planting trees and that remains a missionary zeal till date.

“We are living in a world where forest cover has drastically dwindled and now what remains is a sore that may require half a century to even partially heal”, she lamented.

As a little girl born in a nondescript village of Miludihi near the Similipal National Park, Snehashree grew up breathing elixir from the surrounding foliage that remains ingrained in her and is her inspiration even today, at the age of 41.

After planting trees, what became a paramount cause of concern for her was the plight of uncountable birds, those who had lost their shelter amid the disappearing forests, swallowed by the race for ‘development’ everywhere.

So, she started making nests for birds, which was her goal while offering shelter to birds wherever she could.

A teacher by profession, this ‘Shero’ of the woods, also started creating awareness among her students, who emerged as instant buyers of their teacher’s ideal. So, making nests for birds became a numerical wonder, providing new homes to homeless birds.

Wherever Snehashree was posted, she carried along her plantation kit and tools for making nests. She proved to be a messiah and inspiration for all those she worked with. Birds almost speak to her. And who knows that better than Snehashree.

Even during her visits to other areas on her Scooty to places other than her place of work, she carries nests made of mud and dry grass, and hangs them in houses of villagers.

“Once the nests are hung, the birds come and rest themselves, and even stay there. When I pass through those villages and get to hear them chirping from the nests, it gives me an ecstatic feeling”, she says, adding, “I am so happy that some of my students in different schools are also doing this work”.

Snehashree spends money from her salary to buy saplings and gives them to those people who agree to plant them. Plantation of trees has become a dynamic part of her life cycle and would remain so till she can, she says.

“When I look at some new forests in barren fields where I had planted saplings years ago, I do not have words to describe the euphoria it generates within me” a beaming Snehashree adds.

Tryst With Reptiles

In her early days, Snehashree had seen people thrashing snakes to death.

“That was a sad spectacle. I could not recover for days and realised that when snakes never harm human beings until and unless disturbed or provoked, why kill them?” she says.

“I trained myself on how to rescue snakes that enter human habitations and then leave them back in the wild. This helped me to shed false stories about all snakes being dangerous,”  she admits.

So far, Snehashree says she has been able to rescue more than 2,500 snakes, a majority of them very venomous.

This beacon of conservation has always stayed far away from publicity. What keeps encouraging her is the outcome of her efforts and the immense appreciation from colleagues and the school headmasters she has worked under.

“I will carry on with my mission till I am physically capable. My heart beats for nature, the birds and snakes. I believe God lives in nature and blesses whoever tries to conserve His home”, she added.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Odisha with over 40 years of experience in the profession.