As city-dwellers we dont realise that snakebite is a huge problem globally and in India. The answer lies in planning responsible management.
50% of the snakebite cases in the world take place only in India. Snakebites kill more than 50,000 people yearly in India, and 3 of 4 snakebite victims die due to inability in reaching a hospital (Million Death Study).
Up to 10 people die every day due to snakebites, in the Thane district of Maharashtra. During the monsoon season, snakes are driven out of the natural habitat, causing the death toll to rise to 20 people a day. Over 40,000 people die over the course of each monsoon season in India.
It is mostly the male members (the breadwinners) of the family who die, making it very difficult for affected families to survive. Moreover, 3 of 4 victims die only because they were unable to reach a hospital in time, due to lack of roads in rural areas.
- 40,000 people in India are going to die of snakebite this monsoon
Out of 1 lakh snakebite deaths per year globally - 50% take place in India
For every 2 people who die of AIDS in India - 1 person dies of snakebite
10 people die per day of snakebite in Thane district (Maharashtra) alone
In the monsoons this could go up to 20 snakebite deaths per day in Thane
Maharashtra Govt. was planning Rs. 2 lakh compensation to families of victims.
Even survivors dont recover fully - face permanant disability, amputation
3 out of 4 people die due to inability to reach the hospital in time.
Killing snakes is not the answer. It results in increase in rodent population.
Rodents result in epidemics and loss of foodgrain.
Australia has far deadlier snakes than India, but has had just 4 deaths in 10 years