Vanita Jagdeo Borade
Borade in 2022
Born (1975-05-25) 25 May 1975 (age 48)
Known forRescuing snakes
AwardsNari Shakti Puraskar (2020)

Vanita Jagdeo Borade (born 25 May 1975) is an Indian conservationist and the founder of the Soyre Vanchare Multipurpose Foundation, which works in wildlife protection. She specializes in rescuing snakes and has been recognized as "India's first woman snake friend". Borade received the Nari Shakti Puraskar from the Indian government in recognition of her conservation efforts.

Personal life

Vanita Jagdeo Borade was born on 25 May 1975.[1] She lives with her husband in Buldhana in the Indian state of Maharashtra.[2][3]

Career

Borade learned to be at ease with wildlife as she was brought up on a farm, with friends who shared her interest in the local environment.[4] She began catching venomous snakes at the age of twelve without ever being bitten.[3] She founded the Soyre Vanchare Multipurpose Foundation, an environmental organization focusing on preventing pollution and protecting wildlife.[5] Having rescued more than 50,000 snakes,[2] Borade has been included in Guinness World Records.[4] She is particularly compassionate towards snakes, but also has experience with honeybees.[4]

Borade has taught others how to treat snake bites,[2] and aimed to reduce ophidiophobia (a fear of snakes) by providing realistic information about snakes: only ten percent of snakes in India are venomous, and every hospital has freely available antivenom drugs.[4]

Awards and recognition

India Post recognized Borade's achievements by issuing a stamp with her portrait.[6] On International Women's Day 2022, she received the 2020 Nari Shakti Puraskar, the highest civilian honour for women in India, from President Ram Nath Kovind.[5][7] Locally known as the "snake woman", Borade has been recognized as "India's first woman snake friend".[8][7]

References

  1. ^ Pandey, Bhavna (8 March 2022). "राष्ट्रपति ने सांप को रेसक्‍यू करने वाली देश की पहली महिला बचावकर्ता वनिता जगदेव को दिया नारी शक्ति सम्‍मान" [President gave Nari Shakti Samman to Vanita Jagdev, the country's first woman snake rescuer]. Oneindia (in Hindi). Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "3 Maharashtra women honoured with Nari Shakti Puraskar including 'First woman snake-rescuer of India'". Free Press Journal. 8 March 2022. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b "वश में किए 51 हजार नाग... ये हैं 'नाग मोहिनी'". News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 14 October 2017. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "Nari Shakti Puraskars honour Nari Shakti's triumph over social, economic and physical challenges". Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Leaders cut across political lines to hail Indian women achievers". Orissa Post. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Snake rescuer, organic farmer, entrepreneur - 29 women conferred Nari Shakti award". The New Indian Express. 8 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  7. ^ a b Kainthola, Deepanshu (8 March 2022). "President Presents Nari Shakti Puraskar for the Years 2020, 2021". Tatsat Chronicle. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  8. ^ Deshpande, Chaitanya (9 March 2022). "'Saanpwali bai' from Buldhana gets prestigious 'Nari Shakti' award". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
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