Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JS/EP)

Udupi, June 16: Conch shaped African snails have made their appearance again at most of the houses in the first and second cross of Devi Nagara of Parkala causing anxiety among the local people.

These snails are seen on the border wall of B M School, walls of Anganwadi and around the compound wall of the residence of Abdul Sattar.

Abdul Sattar said that they had used nine sacks of rock salt last year but the snails did not go away. “They are spread on the house wall and have started eating the saplings when it started raining this year. People are facing problems due to these molluscs as the municipal council did not take any action last year. They are mostly seen on the walls of B M Parkala school and Anganwadi,” he said.

“The saliva of the snails has a foul smell that seems to spoil the environment and the surroundings. They crawl on land when it rains. Their movement increases during the nights. They are seen inside the house as well. Municipal council health officials should sprinkle insecticides and find a permanent solution for the menace,” urged social activists Ganesh Raj Saralabettu and Rajesh Prabhu Parkala.