Kathmandu, Mar. 21:About one thousand people in Nepal suffer from severe snake bites annually, and of them, some 100  die.

According to the health service department, epidemiology and disease control division, people in the Terai fall prey of snake bites due to the warm climate, torrential seasonal rain, dense forest, deforestation, maximum utilisation of arable land, high density of rodents, amphibians and poisonous reptiles.

Some 50 species of harmless and 17 poisonous reptiles including cobra, pit viper and karet are found in the Terai, the hilly areas and high mountainous altitudes across the country.

According to division director Dr. Mahendra Bahadur Bista, though the number of deaths from snake bite is dropping compared to the past with arrangements for free treatment and antidotes down to the primary health centres in districts prone to snake-bite, people still die due to the low income level, non-availability of antidotes, lack of health education and knowledge of first aid and non-availability of quick transport to hospitals.

The division is to distribute anti-snake bite injections free of cost in the summer in areas which are at danger, it is learnt.

Training in snake bite management will be conducted in Janakpur, Makwanpur and Nepalgunj districts from March 22 to April 11 for some 100 health assistants and senior health assistants from zonal hospitals, district health offices, primary health centres and sub-health posts in 24 districts of the terai belt.