Python scare forces closure of park in Delhi’s Geetanjali Enclave

Local residents have stopped venturing out to Central Park in Geetanjali Enclave as a python has taken refuge there for the past one month.

The worried residents, fearing for their lives and having failed to get any assistance from the civic agency, have decided to keep the park’s gate locked till the snake is captured.

The locals have even deputed a guard outside the park for restricting people, especially children, from entering the place. “Residents have spotted the python at least five to six times in the last 25 days. It is about three-feet long,” said Giri Khanna, vice president of co-operative society Geetanjali Enclave.

“As soon as we received the first complaint, the matter was immediately discussed with area councillor Nandini Sharma. Without any delay she asked the horticulture department, South Delhi Municipal Corporation to take action. However, we haven’t seen anyone from department here so far,” said Khanna.

The matter was raised by Sharma during the standing committee meeting on Wednesday. “The residents had last spotted the python three days ago and that’s why I requested the officials to take the matter seriously,” said Sharma.

“Residents want a solution to the problem as they can’t keep the place locked forever,” she said.

However, SDMC officials claim that the matter doesn’t come under their purview.

A senior SDMC official said, “The issue belongs to the forest department and we have shared the details and pictures with AK Shukla, chief wildlife warden, Delhi government. He informed us that the snake was a Sand Bao, which is not poisonous. So residents need not panic.”

“Still, we have decided to get all the holes in the park ground filled with the help of the horticulture department. However, no one has visited the place from the forest department,” he said further.

HT could not reach Shukla for a comment. However, another senior official said “The residents can share all details with us again and we will send the wildlife SOS team immediately to the place.”