Forest Department with action plan to prevent snakebite deaths; services of trained volunteers will be utilized

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the increasing number of snakebite deaths in the state, the forest department has come up with an action plan. The chief wildlife warden has directed that the services of trained volunteers be utilized at the panchayat level. Their services can be utilized 24 hours a day to catch snakes and move them to a safe place. The services of volunteers can also be ensured through the forest department's Sarpa APP. Awareness will be created in all panchayats under the leadership of volunteers and forest guards about the precautions to be taken to avoid snakebite.

In the situation of high temperatures, there is a high possibility of reptiles coming out of their burrows. The chief wildlife warden informed that the thickets, burrows, cracks, etc. near houses should be removed and the area should be kept clean to prevent snakes from coming in search of prey. The forest department also informed that the district level committees have been directed to clear the bushes in the vacant fields and other places.

Meantime, another snake was found from the house of Aljo, who died of a snake bite on Monday. With this, a total of five common krait (Sanghuvarayan) babies were found from the house. Searches are being carried out to find out if there are more baby snakes in the house. Two people lost their lives yesterday due to snake bites.

An eight-year-old boy, Dikshal, was bitten by a snake at Azhoor in Chirayinkeezhu while he was sleeping early yesterday morning. Although he was taken to the hospital, his life could not be saved. The family alleged that the child was not given adequate treatment at the Chirayinkeezhu Taluk Hospital. The hospital superintendent submitted a report to the DMO in the incident.

A woman died in Kayamkulam after bitten by a snake while she was returning home after attending a reception at a relative's house. She has been identified as Selina (43) of Kayamkulam.