Kerala has taken a big step to protect people from snakebites. The state government has decided to make its own snake antivenom, with the goal of reducing snakebite deaths to zero by the year 2030. This announcement was made by Forest Minister A K Saseendran during the World Snake Day event in Thiruvananthapuram.
Why Local Antivenom is Important
Right now, Kerala buys antivenom from other states. But snake venom is different in different places. So, using antivenom made for other regions may not always work well in Kerala. By developing its own antivenom, Kerala can make sure people get better and faster treatment.
“The type of snake venom found in Kerala is different. That’s why we need an antivenom that works best for our state,” said the minister.
Big Drop in Snakebite Deaths
Every year, around 82,000 people in the world die from snakebites, and half of these deaths happen in India. But Kerala has been able to reduce the number of snakebite deaths. In 2019, the state reported 119 deaths, and by 2024, that number dropped to just 30 deaths.
This success is thanks to the strong efforts of the Forest Department, especially through the use of a mobile app called SARPA.
How the SARPA App Helps
The SARPA app (Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App) helps in saving lives by giving people fast access to help during snakebite emergencies. It also spreads awareness about snake safety.
Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G Krishnan said the app is a big achievement in public health and has played a key role in Kerala’s Death-Free Snakebite Initiative.
A Team Effort
The World Snake Day event was led by Principal Chief Conservator Rajesh Raveendran, and attended by other top officials like P Pugazhendi, L Chandrasekhar, Justin Mohan, and George P Mathachan.
Kerala’s work could become a model for other states in India. By using technology, teamwork, and local research, the state is getting closer to its goal of zero snakebite deaths.
