The Himalayan regions of India are home to an entirely different suite of amphibian and reptile species in comparison to the rest of the country. Some of these are venomous and responsible for numerous bites. Take the Himalayan pit-viper (Gloydius himalayanus) for example, this small viper is responsible for many bites to the hands and feet of local agricultural workers.

A similar scenario to the rest of India and other countries with a snakebite problem, it is the poorest communities who suffer from this occupational hazard and who are not capable of reaching medical facilities/treatment with ease. Our study locations in Himachal Pradesh are often blocked off by landslides, causing some inconvenience for us but potentially stopping a snakebite victim from reaching vital medical treatment.

As the three months spent in this region progressed, it brought about new research ideas and opportunities. We surveyed numerous habitats and found species which have not previously been recorded in this state, discovered species range extensions such as the Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana) and learned much more about the issue of snakebite in this neglected state. At the time of writing this (December 2020) we have a few publications in the works which we hope to share with you shortly. Click here to read our Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana) publication and here to read a review on the current snakebite situation in India, both of which became ink on paper due to this beautiful Indian state.

This expedition was organised and run as part of a collaboration between BITES, Bangor University, Simultala Conservationists and C&FH. We cannot thank Dr Anita Malhotra, Dr Wolfgang Wüster, Dr Stuart Graham, Dr Anatoli Togridou, Vishal Santra, Sourish Kuttalam, Vipin Dhiman and Dr Omesh Bharti enough for what has ultimately become a team to be proud of.