Snake bite victims
Source: PRO Cell IGAR(s) *

Imphal, August 09 2018: Manipur is blessed with an amazing variety of flora and fauna, its natural riches are home to a variety of reptiles including several species of snakes, many of which are venomous.

Most lethal of these include the Monocle Cobra, the Common Krait and the Russel's Viper.

Compared to other parts of India, the natural abundance of Manipur along with its climate and jungle terrain favours snakes extensively.

Depending on their survival characteristics and food habits, habitat of snakes varies from jungles to fields and at times even extending in proximity to populated areas.

Human settlements located on fringes of jungles witness comparatively higher instances of snakebites.

The ever-expanding human footprint further exasperates the situation increasing chance encounters with snakes often resulting in a fatality.

For many locals, their primary occupation being farming and fishery requires them to work and move in paddy fields or fishponds, which are also favourable habitats for most snakes in Manipur.

Based on available data, maximum snakebites occur in the months from April to October.

This is attributable to the prevailing monsoons in forcing snakes out of their burrows into paddy fields and fishponds in search of prey.

Due to cultivation of rice and fishponds filled to the brim in monsoons, the corresponding activity of humans also increases.

This sharply raises the risk of snakebites.

Such cases of snakebite require immediate medical intervention to ensure survivability of the victim.

While snakebites remain common, the corresponding medical care infrastructure in Manipur for treatment remains nascent at best with very few hospitals or medical centers capable of holistic management of a snakebite case.

As a result, fatalities resulting from snakebites are unfortunately common.

The paramount reason for this inadequacy has been the non-availability of appropriate Anti-venom without which assured survivability is suspect.

Under such circumstances, Tulihal Battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles deployed in Manipur has provided much relief to the local population.

The medical team of the unit often goes beyond their call of duty to treat local snakebite victims; as a result of which 216 lives have been saved so far.

During the month of July 2018, 15 snake bite victims have been treated successfully by the medical team of the unit.

This life saving endeavor of Tulihal Battalion Medical Team has earned them extensive reverence among the farmers of Imphal.

Comment