Sun Aug 03 10:33:31 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the text provided.
**Summary:**
Faced with a rising number of snake sightings on school grounds, Kerala, India is implementing a program to train teachers in snake rescue and handling. The pilot program, launching in Palakkad district, is part of the SARPA mission and the State Envenomation Zero Mortality Kerala project. Teachers will receive training on species identification, safe handling techniques, and information on local anti-venom resources. The goal is to prevent snakebites, effectively manage incidents, educate students, and promote coexistence with reptiles, spurred by past tragic incidents.
**News Article:**
**Kerala Schools to Train Teachers in Snake Rescue Amid Rising Sightings**
**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA – August 3, 2025** – In response to a growing number of snake sightings on school campuses, the Kerala Forest Department is set to launch a comprehensive snake rescue and handling training program for teachers. The initiative, beginning with a pilot program in Palakkad district, aims to equip educators with the skills and knowledge to safely manage snake encounters and prevent potential tragedies.
Palakkad was chosen because of the high numbers of snake encounters in the state.
The program is a key part of the SARPA (Snake Awareness Rescue and Protection App) mission and supports the State Envenomation Zero Mortality Kerala project, which seeks to eliminate snakebite fatalities by 2030. Forest personnel and SARPA volunteers recently conducted safety inspections before the reopening of schools, finding venomous species like the Russel’s viper and non-venomous snakes like the common wolf snake in and around school buildings.
“Snakes often thrive in paddy field ecosystems, which are common in Palakkad,” stated a government official involved in the program.
The initiative gained momentum following the tragic death of a student in Wayanad in 2019 due to a snakebite in the classroom. Recent snakebite incidents in other areas of Kerala further underscored the urgency of the training program.
T. Mohammed Anwar, State Nodal Officer of SARPA, explained that the training would focus on two crucial aspects: preventing snakebites through awareness and effectively managing incidents should they occur. The pilot phase will involve 64 educators, mostly certified snake handlers, who will conduct training sessions for schoolteachers. The curriculum will cover snake species identification, safe handling and rescue techniques, and information on the nearest health centers with anti-venom.
“These trained teachers will serve as first responders in their schools,” said Mr. Anwar. “They are also expected to educate students, who often approach snakes without understanding the risks. The program also aims to promote a culture of healthy coexistence with reptiles and dispel long-held fears and myths.”
The program is expected to expand to other schools and colleges across Kerala in the coming months, marking a significant step towards ensuring the safety of students and staff in environments where human-wildlife interactions are common.
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