Tamil Nadu   

Show-cause notice to Irula snake catchers’ society

CHENNAI: A show cause notice issued by wildlife authorities to the Irula Snake Catchers’ Industrial Cooperative Society has shocked the tribals who are dependent on the society for survival.

The November 14, 2008, notice charged the society with having sold a venom stock to a private company even before it was verified by Range Officer, Sanctuary.

Members of the society said an order dated September 18 this year from the Chief Wildlife Warden’s office, Chennai, accorded permission under Section 48 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to the Special Officer, Irula Snake Catchers’ Industrial Cooperative Society to transport the venom from the society to the private company. The order mentioned the quantity of venom as: Cobra – 5 grams; Krait – 1 gram; Russell’s viper – 5 gram and Saw Scaled Viper – 1 gram. Further it said the society should ensure that necessary care be taken during transportation.

Another order issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden on August 21, 2006, said the private company was not engaged in handling and transacting snake venom as described under Section 44 (c) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 2002 and there was no need for dealership licence. S. Rajendran, supervisor and lab technician of the society, said the society was functioning under the control of State Industries and Commerce Department, which earned revenue of Rs 1.35 crore last year and it provided 50 per cent bonus and 50 per cent incentive to its members besides snake trapping wage of Rs. 3,000 a member a month. All the members were belonging to the Irula tribe, he said.

K. Thulukkanam, a standard X drop out and a member of the society, said before joining the society he used to catch the snakes, skin them and sell the skin to the people. “Our lives have changed following the starting of the society, which has helped us earn monthly income and our children are studying in schools and colleges,” he said.

Every year, by November the society used to sell lyophilized venom powder to the tune of Rs. 90 lakh. But, this year due to delay in the issuance of orders from the wildlife authorities, the society had sold venom only to the tune of Rs. 25 lakh so far, Mr. Rajendran pointed out.

Only Thursday, the State Cooperative Union presented a shield to the society at a function held in Villupuram as the best cooperative society in the State. “If the wildlife authorities cancel the licence of the society, survival of more than 350 Irula tribal families will be in peril,” Mr. Rajendran said. The high quality venom powder produced by the society is used for producing anti-venom serum, which was needed to save lives of people all over the country.

Paralysing the activities of the Society would have a larger implication on snake bite victims, he added.

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