After Kerala High Court Nudge, State Govt Prepares Draft Circular On Guidelines To Prevent Snakebites
The Kerala High Court has taken note of the draft circular prepared by the State Government for formulating comprehensive guidelines on prevention and management of snakebites.
The division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen, were hearing a petition on the issue of basic health care in relation to snake bites, which arose after an incident involving snake bite to a student in 2019.
Pursuant to earlier directions of the Court, a high-level meeting was convened on September 1, 2025 under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. The meeting was attended by senior officials including the Principal Secretary of the Forest and Wildlife Department, representatives from the Local Self-Government Department, Health and Family Welfare Department, Education Department, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, National Institute of Virology, and the Assistant Conservator of Forests, among others.
During the meeting, a draft circular prepared by the Health Services Department in consultation with the Director of General Education was examined. The Chief Secretary observed that the draft could be adopted, and directed the stakeholders to submit their reports by September 3, 2025.
The minutes further recorded two significant policy considerations, which included exploring the notification of snakebite as a notifiable disease, subject to legal examination and collaborating with the Forest Department and the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology to explore the production of antivenom for species of snakes beyond the commonly found ones.
The amicus curiae and counsel for the petitioner stated that they would study the draft circular and provide their suggestions to strengthen the policy. The Court observed that while the circular is a matter of government policy and can be modified later if gaps are identified, what is essential is that a comprehensive guideline is put in place at the earliest to address the issue effectively.
The matter is posted to next Wednesday for further consideration.
Case Title - Kulathoor Jaisingh v State of Kerala and Ors
Case No - WP(C) 32493/2019