(IN) Oppose Snake Rescuers for opening Venom Collection Center

[Guest guest]

Recently 'Sanjivani Sarpamitra Sanstha' from Maharashtra is willing to

start Snake Venom Collection Center @ Nasik & they have also submitted

this project to Maharashtra Forest department in order to grant

permission. As per our opinion the process which they claimed for this

collection project has many demerits, also this process will cause

negative impact on environment. The details about this project are as

follows:

 

REASONS TO ESTABLISH VENOM COLLECTION CENTER:

 

 

1. There is deficiency of Anti-venom serum in Maharashtra.

2. This deficiency is because of unavailability of snake venom.

3. Anti -venom is too costly, can't affordable to common man.

4. This project will act as source of income to snake friends.

5. This project will generate excessive snake venom which

ultimately will reduce cost of anti-venom.

 

 

Above mentioned claims are totally false because:

 

 

1. There is no deficiency of anti-venom serum in Maharashtra.

2. Snake venom is available in sufficient quantity.

3. ASVS is absolutely free of cost in government hospitals, so

there no question for its cost.

4. Expecting to get money from snake rescuing is inappropriate,

instead it is social responsibility of snake friends and it should come from

within.

 

 

If you read above points, you will notice that from this project there

is no social, economical or environmental benefit, but it will show

negative impact on population of snakes.

 

Other important points related to this project are as follows:

 

* In India Polyvalent ASVS is generally produced. Venom of Cobra (

Naja naja), Russell's Viper ( Daboia Russeli), Common Krait (Bungarus

caeruleus) and Saw Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) is used for Polyvalent

ASVS production in particular ratio. Experience snake activist must know

that snakes rescued from human settlement mainly include Cobra and

Russell's viper (in case of venomous snake), while Saw scaled viper and

Common krait are in few number. If we take

average of all venomous snake rescued from an area then we get to know

that 5-10 kraits or 3-5 saw scaled viper can be obtained from that area

(per year). Again there is variation in number as per place to place,

for e.g. Population density of Saw scaled viper is maximum in Konkan,

while its very less in rest of Maharashtra.( Ref: Records submitted to

forest department from snake activist and researchers) Since

availability of such snake is very less, then how one can obtain venom

of all species in required amount to make Polyvalent ASVS. It should be

noted that the project is intended to be carried out with the rescued

snakes only & snake catching from wild is not allowed.

 

* Under this project only venom collection will occur, but there is

no guarantee that companies which make ASVS would purchase it. And even

if they purchase it, there is no assurance that the ASVS made from this

venom would have low cost.

 

* The snakes required for venom collection will be collected from

all over Maharashtra; therefore snake would be transported from any

region of Maharashtra to Nashik. For many parts the traveling (to & from

) would be more than 1200 kms. This will affect health of snakes.

 

* For venom extraction snake would be collected from all over

Maharashtra, but there is no guarantee that these snake would be

returned to their original place in healthy condition. At the same time

Maharashtra Forest Department has insufficient staff, so having

efficient transport facility and hold on it would be great challenge to

handle. We fear that this control would remain in black and white.

 

* As per 1972 wildlife Act it is an offence to keep or transport any

wild animals. One must have " permit " for such activity from Forest

Department (mainly from MoEF). Does the forest department of Maharashtra

posses all necessities to provide such permit? Also how are they going

to stop misuse of this permit?

 

* Do they have full time efficient government employees on this

project to keep all records related to venom collection and snake

collection?

 

* Do they have permit for collection or preservation or

transportation permit for venom from Central Government of India?

 

* How would they identify that snakes which are provided by snake

friends are reused again & again or they capture from wild ( or does not

released in wild) to obtained more profit?

 

So after going through all point it is clear that this project was

not properly planed, so implementation of such project would be fatal

for snakes, at the same time this will affect environmental balance.

 

 

So it's our kind request to you that please help us by registering your

protest. If you agree with our views please register your protest to

Principal Chief Conservator of forests, Maharashtra, the details are as

below:

 

Principal Chief Conservator of Maharashtra,

" Van Bhavan " ,

Ramgiri Road,

Civil Lines,

Nagpur - 440 001

 

Or e-mail them on pccfwl_ngp & please mark CC on

nilesh

 

Or can directly speak to PCCF Maharashtra on 0712 - 2549563

 

Thanking you.

 

Nilesh Bhanage

Founder & President - PAWS

Hony. Sarpa Mitra - Forest Dept., Maharashtra State