Bhubaneswar: With the loss of human lives due to snakebite in Odisha rising every passing year and even snake-rescuers falling victims to it, Snake Helpline organised a workshop on the issue in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
As per the statistics of OSDMA, a whopping 6,351 people succumbed to snakebite between 2015 and 2021 with Ganjam district topping the list with 307 deaths. The tally of 522 snakebite deaths in 2015 more than doubled in 2021 with 1159.
These numbers account for those who were received the ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh. As per the analysis of Snake Helpline, the number of actual death could be much more as there are several snakebite deaths that go unreported.
In this context, the role of the snake-rescuers holds significant in saving not only human lives but also contributing to conservation of wildlife. But many rescuers have died of snakebite and others faced disabilities. Besides, several rescuers faced the whip of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 after violation of the law knowingly or unknowingly.
The one-day workshop organised at Buddha Mandir aimed at promoting awareness about snakebite safety and wildlife laws among the snake-rescuers. Total 90 rescuers from across the state participated in the workshop.
Speaking on the subject on “Beyond Snakebite”, Dr Sudipta Ranjan Singh, additional professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar emphasised on the zoonotic diseases associated with snake and the first-aid after venom enters eyes.
Dr Niranjan Padhy, Medicine Specialist of BMC Hospital, Bhubaneswar spoke on the first-aid after snakebite and the importance of golden hour. Dr Jayant Kumar Panda, Professor & HoD, Department of Medicine, SCB Medical College & Hospital, Cuttack spoke on “Snakebite Treatment & Disability Reduction” highlighting hospital management, ASV use and disabilities prevention.
Dr Surajit Garabadu, Nodal Officer, Snakebite, Health department, talked on “Rescuers are Social Messengers”. He elaborated the free treatment facilities available in government hospitals and urged the rescuers to be community workers.
Subhendu Mallik, general secretary, Snake Helpline & Honorary Wildlife Warden, Khurda spoke on “Ethics & safety” and stressed on different safety measures to be taken both for the safety of the snakes and rescuers.
“The tips that are given by the experts would surely help the snake-rescuers to mitigate the human-snake conflict in a better way,” said Dr Sourjya Ranjan Parija, president of Snake Helpline.
