Urgent Alert: Snakebites Skyrocket as a Major Public Health Crisis in Assam, Warn Experts
Snakebites are a significant public health issue in Assam, often leading to fatalities due to delayed medical intervention and lack of awareness about proper first-aid measures. Dr. Surajit Giri, a snakebite treatment specialist, noted that there are around 35,000 snakebite cases yearly. In 2024 alone, there were approximately 11,000 snake bites resulting in 36 deaths, according to Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) Director Sonali Ghosh.
In response to this ongoing concern, a two-day capacity-building workshop on ethical snake rescue and snakebite prevention was held on January 27–28 at the Kohora Convention Centre in KNPTR. The workshop attracted 43 nature enthusiasts and forest officials from eight districts: Kaziranga, Nagaon, Biswanath, Sivasagar, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia. It was a collaborative effort by the Assam Forest Department, Help Earth, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, and the Zoological Society of Assam. Ghosh emphasized the importance of this initiative in developing a knowledgeable network of nature enthusiasts and frontline forest personnel.
Assam’s rich biodiversity includes numerous snake species like the King Cobra and Monocled Cobra, contributing to snakebite-related fatalities, especially during the monsoon season when snakes are forced into human settlements. Gnaneswar Ch, Project Leader for Snakebite Mitigation at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, led the workshop, providing training on safe snake rescue techniques, effective first-aid measures, and strategies to mitigate human-snake conflicts. Participants gained practical experience and received snake rescue kits to enhance their readiness.
The workshop underscored the commitment to reducing snakebite mortality, promoting conservation, and improving human-snake coexistence. The organizers hope these efforts will empower local rescuers and forest personnel to address snake-related challenges more effectively, paving the way for a future where humans and snakes can coexist harmoniously.
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/snakebites-a-major-public-health-concern-in-assam-experts
Category : Assam News
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Publish Date: 2025-01-29 07:48:00
