Wed Jul 16 13:26:04 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article, formatted for *The Hindu*:

**Summary:**

Kerala’s Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran announced a collaborative project with the Health Department to produce snake antivenom locally. The current antivenom is sourced from Tamil Nadu, but regional variations in snake venom potency necessitate locally produced antivenom for effective treatment. India accounts for nearly half of the global snakebite deaths. Kerala has seen a decrease in snakebite fatalities due to the SARPA app and other initiatives, with the goal of zero snakebite deaths by 2030.

**News Article:**

**Kerala to Produce Local Snake Antivenom in Push for Zero Snakebite Deaths**

*Thiruvananthapuram, July 16, 2025* – In a significant move to combat snakebite fatalities, Kerala’s Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran announced today that the state will launch a collaborative project with the Health Department to locally produce snake antivenom.

Speaking at the World Snake Day observance, Mr. Saseendran emphasized the critical need for region-specific antivenom. “Studies have shown that the potency of snake venom can vary significantly from region to region due to atmospheric differences. Antivenoms sourced from Tamil Nadu may not be fully effective against the venom of the same species found in Kerala. Locally produced antivenom is therefore essential for effective treatment,” he stated.

Globally, snakebites claim between 82,000 and 1.35 lakh lives annually, with nearly half of those deaths occurring in India. Kerala has historically faced high snakebite fatality rates. However, recent efforts by the Forest Department, including the introduction of the SARPA (Snake Awareness, Rescue and Protection App), have demonstrably reduced the number of deaths. Mr. Saseendran highlighted this progress, noting that reported deaths have fallen from 119 in 2019 to 30 in 2024.

The state government is committed to achieving zero snakebite deaths by 2030 under the “Snake Envenomation Zero Mortality Kerala” project. Head of Forest Force Rajesh Ravindran presided over the programme, with Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan also addressing the gathering. The initiative represents a crucial step in ensuring the availability of effective treatment for snakebite victims across the state.

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