NEW DELHI TELEVISION (India) 10 February 07 Snakebite cases on the rise in Kerala
Thiruvanathapuram: Kerala is a state with a high density of snakes, so much so that over the years, snakes have become an intricate part of the state's culture and tradition.
But urbanization and mindless construction across the state, has disturbed that fragile relationship, and now there is a growing number of snakebite cases being reported.
The Thiruvananthapuram Medical College alone attends to nearly 200 snakebite victims annually, that is almost 3-4 persons every week.
"When a forest area is cleared or when the earth is dug up, the snakes are forced to move into inhabited areas where they find rats in plenty," said M Njanadas, Herpetolgist, Government Ayurveda College.
But there are those like Goplalakrishnan, a veteran snake handler, who are working to save the snakes of Kerala at a Snake Park run by the Government Ayurveda College in Thiruvananthapuram.
Snakes rescued from residential areas after terrified people have sent out distress calls are brought here.
Gopalakrishnan says he sometimes receives about three or four calls a day asking for help in capturing a snake. He says snakes are terribly misunderstood.
"A snake will bite, if hurt or threatened. However, we must realise that the snake is far more afraid of us than we are of it. When we think of a snake, our first reaction is one of fear, something that has to be destroyed. If people are informed about it, they will lose that fear," said Gopalakrishnan.
Snakes have been part of Kerala's tradition for centuries now, alternately revered and feared.
However now the disconnect between man and nature is so complete, that every snake is seen as a threat and hence destroyed - if only we could rediscover that lost tradition.
Snakebite cases on the rise in Kerala