The Gujarat government will soon introduce a state-specific anti-venom developed from the venom of snake species found within Gujarat, in an effort to reduce snakebite-related deaths.
The initiative is being led by the Snake Research Institute (SRI) in Dharmapur, Valsad district, which was established by the state government. The institute currently houses around 460 venomous snakes collected from different regions of Gujarat.
Venom is extracted in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, processed using modern technology, and converted into lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder. The powdered venom is then auctioned to licensed anti-venom manufacturers. The state government will procure the resulting anti-venom and distribute it to hospitals across Gujarat.
The recent e-auction of venom from four major venomous species — Indian Cobra, Common Krait, Russell’s Viper and Saw-Scaled Viper — received strong participation from manufacturers, with final bids exceeding base prices.
According to the institute, region-specific venom is expected to improve treatment outcomes, as variations in snake venom across geographies can affect the effectiveness of anti-venom produced using venom sourced from other states.
The SRI operates under the Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation (GFRF), an autonomous body under the state’s Forest and Environment Department. The state government has allocated 2.25 hectares of land for a permanent campus, and a proposal of ₹11.68 crore has been submitted for infrastructure development.
India launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE) in March 2024, with the goal of reducing snakebite-related deaths and disabilities by 50% by 2030. Gujarat’s initiative aligns with this broader national effort.
In addition to venom extraction, the institute has trained over 1,495 doctors and medical officers across 23 districts and more than 300 snake rescuers in snakebite management. It also conducts awareness programmes and has published a field guide titled Snakes of Valsad.
Until now, venom extraction for anti-venom production in India has primarily been undertaken by the Irula Snake Catchers Industrial Cooperative Society in Tamil Nadu. The Dharmapur-based institute has become the second such facility in the country.
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