A team of forest department officials and an independent snake expert conducted a workshop to sensitise residents and support staff of the Uniworld City Housing Complex regarding snakebites and what to do in case a snake is spotted inside the condominium.
Uniworld City in Action Area III is one of the biggest housing complexes in New Town that has 52 towers and around 3,000 apartments. Snakes are being spotted here regularly since the onset of monsoon. Apart from 300 housekeeping staff and security guards the complex also has two trained snake catchers.
At the workshop led by Kalyan Rai, deputy conservator of forests, headquarters, wildlife division, Kolkata, the foresters and herpetologist Anirban Chaudhuri demonstrated first-aid techniques and the dos and don’ts in case of a snakebite.
First aid
In case anyone gets bitten by a snake, the team members said metal objects near the wound, like bangles, rings or bracelets must be removed at once as the area around the bite tends to get swollen in no time.
Anirban Chaudhuri also told the gathering that they should note the time of the bite, the information helps doctors treat snakebite patients.
“After that, the snakebite victim must be taken to the nearest health care facility that has anti-venom. Most government hospitals stock up on anti-venom. New Town itself has three urban primary health centres where anti-venom vials and other medicines pertaining to treating snakebitevictims are available,” said Rai.
Manoj Josh, the range officer of the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility in Salt Lake's Baisakhi, said they frequently get calls to catch snakes from New Town.
“The key is not to panic and to ensure that no cold or hot compress is put on the wound. Nobody should ever attempt to cut it open or try and suck the poison out,” Josh said.
Under no circumstances, should the victim be made to lie down on the back or administered any form of liquid.
The foresters also advised that in case somebody is bitten on the hand, it should not be raised or kept at a level that is above the heart.
Prevention
The team advised a thorough clean-up of weeds and bushes inside the complex and its surroundings.
They also told the residents to ensure that leaves don’t pile up anywhere and wood is stocked up as they provide the perfect resting spot for snakes or to lurk for their prey.
Residents have also been advised to keep a small pocket torch handy. “We have noticed that this year we have been getting more calls to catch snakes from houses and flats of New Town and Rajarhat. It is always advisable to carry a small torch and shine it in front while walking at night. This will not only help anyone spot a snake but also the light will scare snakes away” Josh said.
Whenever at a playground or at a common sitting area, the foresters asked residents to examine the spot before sitting.
Uniworld City resident Supriyo Ghosh, who is also the secretary of the residents’ welfare association, said they were sprinkling a mix of carbolic acid and bleaching powder inside the compound regularly to minimise the risk of snakes.
According to Ghosh, the complex still has incomplete towers and they have called in bulldozers to clear the shrubs growing there.
“We don’t want to take any chances, especially as there are a lot of children who go out to play every evening. We have trained snake catchers on campus as well. However, this interactive session with the forest department officials was much needed,” Ghosh said.
A senior forest department official said that this was the first of several workshops lined up and more will follow in New Town.
