Venom extraction system wanting

Experts in the city have pointed out that lack of an institutionalised system for snake venom extraction in the state was leading to shortage of anti-venom.

This is a cause of concern, said experts, in the light of high number of snake bite fatalities recorded in the state every year. In 2014, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Maharashtra recorded 4,000 snake-bite cases with 971 fatalities.

Currently, the snake venom extraction programme largely depends on individual snake rescuers who bring venomous snakes to institutions such as the Haffkine Institute to extract venom.

Explaining the procedure, former scientists of Haffkine Institute confirmed that the multiple permissions needed for venom extraction, snake rescue and anti-venom creation have become roadblocks in the entire process.

“Haffkine Institute takes the permission of chief conservator of forest to rescue snakes and extract venom. As permissions have to be taken for every snake caught, the process becomes stringent and cumbersome. Hence, the institution is dependent on licenced snake catchers who volunteer to get the snakes to Haffkine Institute for venom extraction before releasing them,” said the scientist.

Excessive dependence on snake catchers could lead to another problem, because as Kedar Bhide said, the compensation given to snake catchers act as a draw and could spiral into uncontrolled confining of snakes.

“The objective of a snake catcher is to rescue a protected species found in the urban vicinity and release it into a forest land. However, a major issue could arise if the snake catchers start catching venomous snakes for compensation. This could affect the whole purpose of snake conservation programme,” said Mr Bhide.

Snake conservationist and forest officials confirmed an efficient proposal was put forward to resolve the problem in Nagpur.

“The proposal was for a licensed centre as a snake rescue point where the snakes could be kept for about a week. If the centre can act as a venom extraction centre, there would be no cases of snake bites. Also a minimal compensation should be paid for every snake which is rescued which will give an impetus to the programme,” said a forest official, who did not wish to be named.