Kanchanpur, March 4: The number of pythons is increasing in Kanchanpur thanks to the conservation of wetlands. The python population has been increasing due to the conservation of wetlands, ponds, lakes, rivers and rivulets within the forests. Pythons have been seen in Belauri and Punarbas areas of the district for the last five years. According to locals, pythons are also seen in the forests, close to the rivers, and settlements near the wetlands and in other areas. More than 56 pythons have been rescued from both Belauri and Punarbas areas in the last five years and released safely into their natural habitat, said Dinesh Kumar Yadav, chief of the Kunda Sub-Division Forest Office. Yadav added that nine pythons have been rescued and released safely since Mid-July this year. According to Yadav, pythons listed in the conservation list have been found more in Belauri municipality-1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, while in Punarbas municipality-1, 4, 6 and 11. “There are more wetlands in Punarbas and Belauri areas. There are many lakes, rivers and streams and sugarcane plantations in these areas, providing suitable habitat and prey for pythons,” Yadav said. He explained that more pythons are found in Belauri and Punarbas areas as these places are flanked by Laljhadi forest area to the north, the Dudhwa National Park to the south and Shuklaphanta National Park to the west. “In the past, locals used to kill the pythons on seeing them. Now the general public has started to understand that wildlife should be protected and animals played an important role in the ecosystem,” he said, adding that the locals informed the park officials soon after spotting the python and sometimes they themselves rescue them and hand over to the forest office. Chief of the Kunda sub-division forest office Yadav said since python is a protected wildlife, they have been raising public awareness that it should be protected, and the general public has also become aware about this. According to him, the pythons also come to the farm, courtyard and sometimes even inside the house in search of food. The locals said that they informed the forest office if they spotted pythons in their farms and house. The Forest Office said the length of the rescued pythons ranges from three metres to five metres and their weight ranges from 30 kgs to 60 kgs. Bahadur Singh Mahara, chairman of local Baijanath Community Forest, said that the python is the largest in size among the snake species. He said a wildlife rescue centre is being operated and it has been rescuing the injured wildlife.