Deputy Conservator of Forests (wildlife division) Nitin Kakodkar said the reptiles were mainly displayed by local snake charmers. This is a clear departure from the past, when snakes were brought from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Kakodkar added. ``The snakes will be released in the wild after their wounds are treated,'' he added.

The snakes were seized from snake charmers at Bhandup, Kurla, Ghatkopar and Thane.

The Aasmant Nature Club, Dombivli, too confiscated 24 reptiles, including 17 cobras, two sand boas, two earth boas, and three rat snakes, along with 12 parakeets, 8 scorpions, a monochrome lizard and two mongooses today.

The operation was launched in Dombivli, Badlapur, Ambernath and Ulhasnagar. ``While our volunteers discovered only two snakes in Badlapur and Ulhasnagar respectively, and one onDombivli railway station, all the other animals were confiscated in Ambernath,'' said Rupali Parkhe, secretary of the club.

According to her, the club faced resistance in some cases, but thanks to the help of Ambernath police, it could rescue the animals. ``We are thankful to the police who, on an oral request, deputed constables to help us,'' said Abhijit Kelkar, another activist of the group.

This reporter was witness to one such confiscation. Club members Rupali, Abhijit and Rahul Raghunath, along with two constables (who stood out of sight) surrounded a snake charmer and began picking up the two snake baskets he had. The charmer first protested aggressively, but later pleaded with the three not to take away his ``rozi-roti.''

But the cobra and the sand boa were confiscated nevertheless. Later, Abhijit showed this reporter the sand boa's tail (resembling a head in shape), which had been branded with agarbattis in two places in such a way that the burn marks looked like eyes. ``Usuallyin such cases, the charmers make up some cock-and-bull story about how such a two-headed snake was picked up in the Himalayas,'' Abhijit said.

The club had also set up stalls in league with the Rotaract Club of Ambernath for spreading awareness about the creepy-crawlies with the help of pamphlets, charts and live demonstrations with a boa.

``I'm glad I came to the stall,'' said Bhimabai Jadhav, a vegetable vendor, who took time to be convinced the snakes didn't drink milk. After her queries were answered, she declared she would never give a single paisa to snake charmers ``who ill-treat our Gods.''

The confiscated animals have been housed in the Parkhe home. ``After they are seen by the vet, and depending on their health, they will be released in the wild,'' said Rupali.

Meanwhile, Nagapanchami was celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour as Mumbaikars offered prayers to the snake god all over the city. People worshipped the snake god by offering puja and milk, considered to be an important ritualamong Hindus. Women, who form the majority of the devotees, made it a point to offer household milk to the snake god along with some money as a token of their faith. Symbolically, the snake god is always seen as an ornament around the neck of Lord Shiva, and hence this festival achieves mythological importance.