Bantwal: Monsoon Snails Make for Tasty Coastal Delicacy

Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (RD/CN)

Bantwal, Jun 15: Snails are found in large numbers in the paddy fields near water bodies at the onset of monsoon in the coastal district. Garden snails, scientific name ‘helix aspersa’, brown garden snail, and common snails are often considered to be pests.

They are often seen after rains, and leave a tell-tale trail of mucus. Being hermaphrodites, garden snails have both male and female reproductive organs, but although they can mate with themselves, it's more usual to find a partner. When conditions are dry, snails retreat into their shell and seal the entrance. They can then survive in a state of suspended animation for several months. A single garden snail can have 430 babies in a year.

The snails are nutritious and rich in minerals.  Coastal residents are known for making a variety of dishes with snails.  The elderly believe that eating snails will relieve them of constant back pain. 
The quantity of snails is dwindling in farmlands due to excess use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides which degenerates the fertility of soil, but organic farming boosts the quantum of snails. 

Snails are in great demand in the city markets because city folks prefer it to shell fish sourced from the Arabian Sea and rivulets of Netravati River as it is harvested only during the monsoon season.  They are very expensive due to the fishing ban that comes into effect on Wednesday June 15.