Tikapur Municipality Launches Snake Identification and Rescue Training to Mitigate Bite Risks

Tikapur, Kailali: Tikapur Municipality has initiated training programs for residents on how to identify snakes to prevent snakebite incidents.

The municipality is training municipal police, community leaders (Badghar), neighborhood development committee officials, teachers, students, and youth on distinguishing between venomous and non-venomous snakes, preventive measures, and protocols for snakebite treatment and snake rescue.

Tikapur Municipality-1 allocated a budget for disaster management this fiscal year. With the onset of summer, the ward has begun training 100 neighborhood development committees, community leaders, and instructors to help the public prepare for snakebite risks.

“There is a high risk of snakebites here, and people have a habit of killing snakes on sight,” said Ward Chairman Mohan Luhar BK. “By learning to identify snakes, people can seek timely treatment. We are also providing this training to educate them on the importance of snakes to the environment.”

As Tikapur is located in the Terai region, it faces a significant risk from venomous snakes. Due to a lack of trained personnel for snake rescue, the municipality is now developing a team of rescuers. Chief Administrative Officer Suman Dhital stated that training is being provided to school principals and community leaders to raise awareness. “We have issued a notice to train youth as snake rescuers,” he said. “Currently, there is only one rescuer, and it is difficult for him to respond to all calls when snakes enter homes.”

Snakebite treatment services are available at Tikapur Hospital. According to Medical Recorder and Information Officer Padamraj Bhatta, 47 snakebite patients have sought treatment at the hospital so far this fiscal year.

Nirmala Chaudhary, head of the Forest, Environment, and Disaster Management Division, noted that after training 20 individuals, the municipality plans to provide them with accident insurance and deploy them as volunteers for rescue operations across the wards.