Agumbe: The village of King Cobras

Agumbe, located in Karnataka's Shivamogga district, is nestled in the densely forested Malenadu region of the Western Ghats mountains range. Agumbe has earned the nickname ‘The Cherrapunji of South India’ due to its exceptionally high rainfall. The mean annual rainfall in Agumbe is 7,620 millimetres or 300 inches while it is 11,871 mm in Cherrapunji.

Apart from being one of the rainiest places in India, Agumbe is home to a large number of king cobras. They can be spotted while driving to the village, taking a walk or even hiding in a house. That’s why Agumbe is also called India’s Cobra Capital.

The rainforests of Agumbe are home to 71 species of snakes. The Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS) was established here to protect the king cobra, the flagship species of Agumbe. 

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ARRS rescues hundreds of snakes every year, many of them being king cobras, and releases them back into the wild. In 2007, Rom Whitaker of ARRS and Dr Matt Goode, University of Arizona, began the world's first radio-telemetry study of king cobras in Agumbe.

The village spread over 3 sq km, is also vital for rainforest conservation, documentation of medicinal plants, tourism, trekking and photography. Agumbe, about 98 km northeast of Mangaluru, is at an elevation of 660 meters above sea level.

Observing reptiles up and close

The Agumbe research station tracks and conserves king cobras, vulnerable to habitat loss and being killed by people. ARRS provides a great option for herping (searching and observing reptiles and amphibians). It offers two cottages for stay for those interested in the reptiles and the staff takes visitors to cobra nests.

The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake and is the only snake that makes a nest. 

They build nests during the breeding season between March and April in the Western Ghats. These nests are formed from leaf litter and other decomposing vegetation. The female protects the nest throughout this period. Despite each nest having 35 to 40 eggs, only a few survive as they are eaten by other snakes and predators.

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There are regular sightings of king cobras in Agumbe including a 12-foot king cobra rescued in July 2024. The 12-foot king cobra was spotted crossing a road in Agumbe and took refuge in a bush in a nearby house. The homeowners and neighbours contacted the forest department, which then informed the ARRS. Their team rescued the snake and released it back into the wild. 

In September 2024, a family in Agumbe found a 9-foot king cobra hiding in a box in their bedroom. 

They alerted the forest department and later, the ARRS team rescued and released the snake into the wild. 

Agumbe has a population of around 500 people engaged primarily in subsistence farming, cultivating crops like rice and areca nut. The village is also home to the Raksha Kavacha Weavers' Cooperative Society, a cornerstone of the local handloom weaving industry.

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Tourism in Agumbe and its surroundings attracts visitors to destinations like Kundadri and Kodachadri Hills, Udupi, Malpe, and Mangalore. Kundadri Hill in the Agumbe forest range is known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and ancient Jain temple. The 17th-century Jain temple dedicated to Lord Parshwanath has two small ponds and unique rock formations. 

Kodachadri Hill has challenging trekking trails, waterfalls, ancient temples, and diverse biodiversity. It is amid dense forests, and waterfalls and offers views of rare birds and orchids.

The Sunset View Point on the Udupi-Agumbe Road offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea during sunset. Agumbe's hilly terrain in the Western Ghats creates a picturesque backdrop ideal for trekking. Many local waterfalls such as Barkana Falls, Onake Abbi Falls, Jogigundi Falls, and Koodlu Threetha Falls take one close to nature. 

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