Snakebite mitigation training for frontline staff in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

Snakebite mitigation workshops were conducted for forest frontline staff across the Koyna Division, including rangers, vanpals, and beat guards—personnel who operate in high-risk environments with frequent exposure to snakes. The sessions combined technical knowledge with practical response training, reinforcing a simple but critical emergency protocol: Reassure – Immobilise – Hospitalise.

The trainings revealed a strong baseline awareness among staff, while also helping correct persistent myths and strengthen confidence in handling real-life situations. By improving first-response capabilities, the programme directly contributes to reducing risk, improving safety outcomes, and enabling more effective field operations.

Beyond training, the visit served as a reconnaissance of the Sahyadri landscape. Field interactions with forest staff provided valuable insights into community dynamics, local perceptions of protected areas, and operational challenges on the ground. Visits to nearby villages and key locations across Koyna and Chandoli divisions, along with an assessment of the Primary Health Centre at Bamnoli, helped identify critical gaps in preparedness, outreach, and healthcare response systems.

Engagements with Forest Department leadership further laid the groundwork for long-term collaboration, with discussions focused on identifying priority intervention areas and scalable approaches to conservation and community engagement.

This initial engagement has established a strong foundation for future work in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. Follow-up visits are planned to expand training coverage, deepen community outreach, and co-develop targeted conservation interventions that strengthen both ecosystem protection and human well-being.