According to the information shared by Pune district administration on Tuesday, snake bite cases have actually lowered in Pune district as compared to in 2015. The district has actually tape-recorded 430 cases till August 18, 2023; whereas 617 cases were reported in 2015.
As per the information, Pune backwoods, where snake bites typically happen has actually reported just 240 cases this year, as compared to in 2015’s 534 cases. While the general cases have actually lowered, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have actually seen an increase in snake bite cases this year, reporting 66 and 124 cases respectively.
In backwoods, amongst the 13 tehsils, 3 reported a greater number, these consist of Junnar (54), Shirur (35), and Haveli (18). In 2022, Junnar tape-recorded 115 cases, while Shirur and Haveli tehsils tape-recorded 48 and 29 cases respectively.
Pune district is home to a range of snakes. Four kinds of poisonous snakes, consisting of Cobra, Common Krait, Russell’s Viper, and Echis Carinatus are discovered in Pune. According to authorities, the cases have actually increased due to the monsoon.Therefore variety of snake bite cases is greater in between June and August. Despite the snake bite cases, no casualty has actually been reported in the last 2 years, said an authorities from Pune Zilla Parishad.
Dr. Ramchandra Hankare, district health officer said, “Majority cases in Pune district are being reported from rural and tribal areas like Junnar, Baramati, Haveli. Currently, all the government health centres have a surplus collection of vaccines for snake bite. Doctors and health workers have been provided with special training for handling snake bite cases.”
Aditya Paranjape, wildlife warden, Pune Forest Division said, “From our observation, in the corporation limit area, most snake bite cases come from under-construction sites and the construction workers are the ones who are often affected. It is a clear indication of encroachment over the environment. Many times, the construction workers set up their huts near dense vegetation. During night time there are high chances snakes enter their houses.”
