FTII–NFAI Campus in Kothrud Overrun by Giant African Snails, Sparks Ecological & Health Concerns
Giant African Snails swarm FTII–NFAI campus in Kothrud, damaging vegetation and raising health risks. Experts call for urgent action.
Pune, October 07, 2025: The Kothrud campus housing the Film & Television Institute and the National Film Archives has been invaded by Giant African Snails (Lissachatina fulica) in alarming numbers, covering walls, walkways, plantations and internal roads. The invasive species is appearing in clusters across the premises, particularly in the rainy season, prompting concerns among staff, students, and ecologists about both ecological damage and potential health risks.
Campus security personnel report that the snails become particularly noticeable during monsoon spells, taking refuge on walls, tree trunks, pathways and in shaded green patches. Their proliferation has become especially visible in recent weeks, triggering anxiety among those on site about the scale of infestation.
These snails, originally introduced to India from East Africa in the mid-19th century, are now established pests in many states. They are notorious for their voracious appetite, feeding on a wide range of plant species — up to 500 different crops and ornamental plants. Their presence threatens local vegetation, nursery plantings, and landscaped zones across the campus.
Experts warn that eradication will require multiple strategies. A zoologist associated with the regional survey agency describes the snails as fast breeders, laying large numbers of eggs that hatch quickly under favourable conditions. He notes that they can survive harsh conditions, often entering dormancy during dry spells but resurging with renewed rains. He suggests that effective control may require chemical sprays, physical removal, and habitat modification.
From a health perspective, the snails are not merely gardeners’ foes. Some reports indicate that Giant African Snails can carry up to 36 species of pathogens, including bacteria and parasites — with nearly two-thirds potentially transmissible to humans. This raises concern in densely populated or frequented areas like educational campuses.
Other biologists emphasize the ecosystem risk: this invasive snail competes with native molluscs, undermines biodiversity, and can destabilize microhabitats. In urban environments, heavy snail presence can also lead to slippery surfaces and even small hazards when crushed on walkways.
To date, institute officials acknowledge the problem but claim they had not been aware of its magnitude. They state they will conduct inspections and consider mitigation steps. However, there is no clear action plan announced as yet. Meanwhile, vegetation and landscaped areas remain vulnerable, and campus users are urged to take precautions in snail-infested zones.
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