Giant African snails invade Kannur

KANNUR: The presence of giant African snails (Achatina fulica Bowtich) in the district has sent alarm bells among agriculture and health officials here. The snails feed on over 500 varieties of plants, and are considered a huge threat to the agriculture. It is also considered a health risk as it carries two types of parasites that can cause meningitis.
Though a satellite population was spotted last year near the Sree Narayana Park, this year it has been spotted in two places in the surrounding areas of the park, including the compound walls on the backside of a shopping complex, and their colony this time is even bigger.
According to T V Sajeev, an expert from Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) at Peechi, Thrissur, the municipal authorities have just informed the institute about the fresh infestation and their team would visit Kannur in the coming days.
"Owing to the delay in monsoon, this year no major outbreak of the pest was reported from anywhere, but we have prepared a prediction model of possible localities in the state where it can spread," he said adding that in the Malabar region, Mahe and Azhikkal are likely to have this infestation, and hence the local administration should be vigilant to take quick action.
"Last year, a major outbreak of African snail infestation was reported from Parassinikkadavu and Muzhappilangad, and the one near S N Park was very small, but the recurrence of it this time should be taken seriously, because it can spread to other localities too, and the possibility of the area being developed as permanent colony could not be ruled out," he warned.
The ideal way is to put crushed cabbage leaves and papaya leaves in the infested locality in the night, and the pest will come and sit on that, when they become active during night. Then, a solution of tobacco decoction and copper sulphate can be sprayed to kill it. Though the pest can also be killed using salt, the snail will melt in the salt and it will cause heavy stink, said Sajeev.
Taking the examples of places like Wellington Island in Kochi, where life has become miserable due to African snails, the authorities have been asked to be vigilant enough to fight the pest. If you spot any colony of African snail, you can contact the helpline number of KFRI: 0487-2690222.