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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Kerala drags feet on snakebite surveillance; yet to declare snakebites as notifiable disease despite Centre's directive
Eight months after the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directed all States to classify snakebite envenomation as a notifiable disease, the Kerala government is yet to implement the required measures. The delay, experts warn, could seriously undermine the State's ambitious goal of eliminating snakebite fatalities within the next five years. In November 2024, the Centre had issued a directive to all States under the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming from India by 2030 (NAPSE). Emphasising the need for a robust surveillance system, the plan highlighted mandatory notification of snakebite cases as crucial for accurately tracking incidents, evaluating interventions and identifying high-risk areas. While several States, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Odisha, have already acted on the directive, Kerala is still in the process of navigating bureaucratic hurdles. According to official sources in the Kerala Health department, a proposal to declare snakebites as a notifiable disease under the Kerala Public Health Act was submitted months ago, but has yet to receive final clearance from the Law department. Officials in the Forest department said this delay is impeding crucial mitigation strategies, particularly the identification of snakebite hotspots and the distribution of life-saving anti-snake venom (ASV). 'A heat map was prepared based on 34 snakebite deaths reported during 2024–25. But mapping hotspots solely using death locations is neither scientific nor foolproof,' a Forest department official said. He added: 'To anticipate snakebite patterns and respond effectively, we need data on all bite cases, not just fatalities. That requires a centralised reporting mechanism that only a notifiable status can enforce.' Reliable data is also crucial to ensure adequate ASV supply in health centres and regularly review preparedness. Seasonal and species variations must also be accounted for in planning, the official noted, pointing to snakebite trends that typically peak from September to December during the snake breeding season. Assistant Conservator of Forests and SARPA (Snake Awareness Rescue and Protection App) State nodal officer T. Mohammed Anwar pointed out that Kerala records around 30 snakebite deaths annually, with an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 envenomation cases every year. 'Snakebite is responsible for the majority of wildlife-related human casualties in the State. Notably, all four of the 'Big Four' venomous snakes, viz., the Indian cobra, Russell's viper, common krait and Indian saw-scaled viper, are present in Kerala,' he said. The SARPA app, launched in August 2020, has logged over 58000 snake sightings and rescues, considerably bringing down snakebite deaths from 123 in 2018-19 to 34 in 2024-25. But without integration with a State-level surveillance system that mandates reporting of bite cases, its potential remains underutilised, officials lament.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Kerala to develop indigenous snake antivenom; targets zero deaths by 2030
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Forest and health departments are all set to join hands in developing snake antivenom within the state, Forest Minister A K Saseendran said on Wednesday. With the intensity of snake venom varying from place to place, indigenously developed antivenoms could serve the need more effectively than those currently purchased from other states. He also added that the state aims to have zero snake bite deaths by 2030, highlighting the state's reduced share in the total snake bite deaths in India. The minister was inaugurating the World Snake Day programme at the Forest headquarters here. As per statistics, nearly 82,000 snake bite deaths happen across the world, half of which take place in India. Kerala was able to successfully reduce its share in these numbers, with the death toll dropping from 119 in 2019 to 30 in 2024. 'This reduction is due to the constant vigil maintained by the forest department,' the minister said in his inaugural address, emphasising the role played by the app developed by the forest department, SARPA, in it. The inaugural ceremony, which was presided over by principal chief conservator Rajesh Raveendran, was attended by additional principal chief forest conservators P Pugazhendi, L Chandrasekhar, Justin Mohan and George P Mathachan. 'SARPA app has become a milestone in public health, by making remarkable interventions to reduce snake-bite deaths,' said chief wildlife warden Pramod G Krishnan in his session on 'Snake Bite: Death-Free Kerala Initiative & Mission Sarpa'.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
State to produce antivenom locally, says Saseendran
Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has announced that the State will soon launch a project in collaboration with the Health Department to produce snake antivenom locally. Inaugurating the World Snake Day observance here on Wednesday, he said the antivenom at present used in Kerala was sourced from Tamil Nadu. 'Studies have shown that the potency of snake venom can vary from region to region due to atmospheric differences. As a result, antivenoms may not neutralise the venom of the same species found in different regions. Hence, locally produced antivenom is essential for effective treatment,' he said, emphasising the importance of region-specific antivenom. Pointing out that between 82,000 and 1.35 lakh people die from snakebites globally every year, the Minister said nearly half of those deaths occurred in India. 'Kerala has historically reported high snakebite fatality rates.' 'However, efforts by the Forest department and the introduction of the SARPA (Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App) mobile application have significantly brought down the number of deaths. From 119 reported deaths in 2019, the figure dropped to 30 in 2024. The State aims to achieve zero deaths due to snakebites by 2030 as part of the Snake Envenomation Zero Mortality Kerala project,' Mr. Saseendran stated. Head of Forest Force Rajesh Ravindran presided over the programme. Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan also spoke on the occasion.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Time of India
Kerala forest department blacklists 64 snake catchers for illegal practices
Kochi: At least 64 authorised snake catchers of the forest department have been blacklisted for allegedly demanding excess money from residents to catch snakes and using unscientific methods while handling the reptiles. The department received complaints from the public alleging that some catchers were demanding thousands of rupees to catch snakes from their houses. A few catchers were reported to be catching snakes in an inebriated state while others often injured the animals during the process. "Usually, houseowners give Rs 300 or 500 to the catchers for meeting their travel expenses, which is acceptable. However, we received complaints that some snake catchers demanded Rs 2,000-3,000, claiming that it was midnight or they were coming from worksites to catch the snake. Owners are forced to give the amount considering the fact that the snake must be inside the house. Such handlers are exploiting the helplessness of houseowners, and the department cannot allow it. We blacklist such catchers by cancelling their certification. If they continue to catch snakes even after the blacklisting, their action will amount to hunting a scheduled animal, which is a punishable offence under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972," said a forest officer. There are 3,072 certified catchers in the state. Of them, only 932 are active. Most of the certified catchers are based in Malappuram, where civil defence volunteers registered with the fire force come forward to undergo training to be certified snake catchers in the wake of recurring natural disasters there, said the officer. Under the Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App (SARPA) initiative, a platform where the public can connect with authorised snake catchers, around 58,000 snakes were rescued in Kerala since Jan 2021.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
‘Chera' no more common, set for official honour as state's reptile
Kochi: The ubiquitous 'chera' (Indian rat snake) is set for a promotion. The State Board for Wildlife, chaired by the chief minister, will consider the forest department's proposal on Wednesday to declare it as the state's official reptile in view of its ecological importance. The rat snake, Ptyas mucosa, is a non-venomous snake that plays a key role in controlling the population of rats. As a carnivore, it also consumes young venomous snakes. Known as a "friend of farmers", it has great conservation importance, reads the proposal for the board meeting. "We have an official state animal, state bird, state fish, butterfly, tree and so on, but we don't have an official reptile. That's why we proposed the rat snake. It will give more conservation value to that species, which in reality plays a high ecological value. Human habitations are its habitat, not forests," a forest official said. Biologist Sandeep Das said common people know that the rat snake is not dangerous and is, in fact, helpful to them. "It is actually a misconception that snakes are dangerous to humans. They control the rat population, which itself is caused by our mismanagement of waste disposal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo They bite people for defence when they feel threatened," he said. "Kerala witnesses nearly 200 snake bite incidents per day, but casualties are very few as we have better access to antivenom treatment. Despite this, some people resort to unscientific treatment for poisoning, which eventually results in deaths," he said, adding that the SARPA (Snake awareness, rescue and protection) app of the forest department plays a big role in creating awareness about conserving snakes. Kerala reported 71 snake bite deaths in 2019-20, which came down to 34 in 2023-24. India has around 350 species of snakes, and Kerala around 130. Of these, only 30 are venomous. Most casualties happen from the bites of the Big Four - spectacled cobra, common krait, Russell's viper and saw-scaled viper. Das said the bite of the hump-nosed pit viper also caused casualties. Surendran Karingad of Kozhikode, who has been rescuing snakes for over 20 years, said people should learn from reptiles to survive in adverse circumstances. "During the 2018 flood, I received calls to rescue snakes from houses or vehicles, but in the flood next year, most calls were to rescue snakes coiled around branches on top of trees. They somehow learned that they need to take shelter on top of trees to survive floods. I have also come across snakes holding their breath for 40 minutes to one hour in water bodies," he said. Surendran felt the population of chera had come down. "One can distinguish it from its body; its head is smaller than its body. There are black, yellow and green cheras, the colour they adapt to survive in their habitat. It is true that people killing snakes has come down. People get frightened when they notice a snake inside their house, and they call us immediately. I receive around 40 calls per month," he said. On getting a call, he would ask for details of the snake spotted. "We can find out if the snake is venomous if they describe the features. If it is venomous, we go there and rescue it. Otherwise, we ask the family to drive it out of the house," he said. The 15-member wildlife board, comprising forest officials, representatives of institutions like Zoological Survey of India, NGOs, experts and environmentalists, will also consider a proposal to rechristen the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary on its 25th anniversary. The renaming is proposed considering its role as a major host of migrating Albatross butterflies every year.
