A wildlife lover shares his passion for snakes

Tariq Muneeb’s latest work presented at Kuch Khaas.

ISLAMABAD:

Snakes are harmless. They only bite when they feel threatened and they should be protected instead of being killed.

This was said by Tariq Muneeb, the first Pakistani and the only Muslim in the world to film reptiles, while presenting his latest work on snakes at Kuch Khaas on Thursday.

A former commander of Pakistan Navy, Muneeb got his early retirement in the late 90s to pursue his passion - protecting wildlife in Pakistan.

Known as “Man of Asia”, he has produced more than 50 documentaries so far and his work has also been recognised at an international level.

Showing a 15-feet python to an audience comprising locals as well as foreigners, Muneeb said the creature was totally harmless and will only attack if it feels threatened.

“Pakistan and India are two countries where different variety of snakes can be found in abundance. Even the word Margalla, known to everyone in the capital city, means the area of snakes in Pashto language,” he said.

Himalayan Wildlife Foundation Park Manager Shadmina Khan, while appreciating Tariq’s work, said as many as 12 different types of snakes have been discovered in the Margalla Hills so far.

One of them is called a “tree snake” and is most commonly killed by people due to its visibility.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2012.