Aarey to have quick response teams for snakebite victims

Yashodha Kadu (inset) was the first casualty of a snakebite in 50 years in Jivachapada tribal hamlet in Aarey Milk Colony

Aarey Colony will soon see the establishment of quick response teams -- a first in Mumbai -- to attend to snakebite victims.

Over five NGOs working in the field of wildlife conservation have joined hands with tribal hamlets in the verdant Aarey and launched a 'zero snakebite campaign' yesterday.

Wildlife conservationist and herpetologist Kedar Bhide said, "We are marking Nag Panchami this year as National Snakebite Awareness Day. Under the India chapter of the global snakebite initiative, many NGOs and individuals have come together to create awareness on preventing and addressing snakebites. In Mumbai, NGOs working on resolving man-animal conflicts have come together, with the support of the forest department, to launch the 'zero snakebite campaign' to reduce the number of deaths around the Sanjay Gandhi National Park."

Besides awareness, the campaign involves creation of quick response teams in tribal hamlet to transport victims and provide first aid to them, as well as strengthen the medical community around Aarey. "We want to get the government hospital, private nursing homes and general practitioners in and around Aarey to be involved in the campaign, and teach them the protocol for treatment as well as animal rescues," said Bhide.

The first three months' activities have been charted out. The campaign will be taken to BMC schools in Aarey in the days to come. Based on its success in Aarey, the plan will be replicated in other areas that see a high incidence of snakebites.

The Jivachapada tribal hamlet in Aarey reported its first snakebite casualty in 50 years a few weeks ago. A woman, Yashodha Kadu, from the area died on the way to the hospital after being bitten by a venomous snake.