KOCHI: The revelation made by some marine fisheries scientists on the edible nature of giant African snails has sparked a row with the Kerala Forest Research Institute coming down heavily against the scientists’ version. According to Kerala Forest Research Institute officials, marine agencies such as Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute and Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies- who made the controversial remark on the invasive species, are ‘unfit’ to make any comments on the African snail. “The African snail is an invasive species. So far no member from these two agencies were known to carry out research on snails. Till now, in my knowledge, there is no representation from the two agencies in the invasive species research and management which conduct investigations on the same. The marine agencies focus on sea species. The African snail is purely a land species,” said T V Sajeev, senior Senior Scientist and Head Forest Health Division Kerala Forest Research Institute who is heading the campaign for the eradication of the snail across the state.
How the controversy began
At a seminar held in Kochi, marine scientists explored the possibilities of developing the snail as edible food and stated that huge business opportunities lie in the field of exporting these snails to other countries.
Sajeev adds that if the marine scientists are very sure about the edibility of African snails, they should be ready to consume it before the media. Also, they should prove snails are devoid of nematode parasites which cause meningitis in humans. We should not try to emulate food habit from other countries as we have a different food culture. We don’t select our food habits based on the protein and carbohydrate value,” said Sajeev.
Dangerous to humans
According to Keerthy Vijayan, a PhD Research Scholar at Entomology Department Kerala Forest research Institute Peechi said that snails are harmful to humans. “ So far, no one is in the know how of the degree in which has one has to cook for the snail to die. There are many death cases reported from Ecuador. Seven cases of meningitis have also been reported from Ernakulam district as well. Even the US and other countries banned the exporting and importing of snails,” said Keerthy who has been doing research on the snails for the past six years.
Some professors who worked on methods to control the snails justified Sajeev’s statement that African snails are not edible. “ As far as I know it is not fit for consumption. We have done a study on the attack of snails. The damage caused is enormous as it feeds on almost all crops at an amazing speed. We analysed several methods and found even small onion extracts to be effective. The project was conducted in 2012,” said Nishi Raveendran, associate professor in Zoology department.
However, officials with College of Agriculture, Vellayani has a different take on the issue. According to dean B R Regunath, the African snail is an edible species.
“ In some countries the species is used as food. African snails did not originate here and instead penetrated into the state through foreign timber business. So far, there is no scientific data that shows that the species is not edible. It is the food pattern which restricts us from eating them,” said Regunath adding that the snails are a threat to nature. He also added that the international seminar held at Thiruvananathapuram few years ago explored the edible nature of the species. When contacted, Laladhar, former member secretary of Kerala Bio-diversity board admitted that the African snails were a positive menace. “ If the duck species can consume snails why not humans? The approach of KUFOS and CMFRI is commendable as they have opened a new way of revenue generation through export,” Laldhar said.