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OUR ASSOCIATES |
The CrocBank is the parent organization for the Irula Snake-Catchers Industrial Cooperative Society (ISCICS) and Irula Tribal Womens Welfare Society (ITWWS).
Irulas Snake-Catchers Industrial Cooperative Society (ISCICS)
In 1976, under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, export of snake skins from India was banned in view of the ecological role of snakes as rodent predators. The Irulas of Tamil Nadu, then numbering over 20,000 were the main suppliers of snake skins to the industry and many were left destitute following the ban. The Irulas, 'people from the dark' are the pre Dravidian inhabitants of the plains and scrub jungles of Chinglepet District, near Chennai. Their expertise in hunting and catching deadly snakes is locally legendary.
In 1978, the Irulas along with Romulus Whitaker and Revathy Mukherji, sought the help of the Department of Industries and Commerce to start a self-employment scheme, using their traditional knowledge, for the Irula community in Chennai and its surrounding district. Thus was born the Irulas Snake-Catchers Industrial Cooperative Society and was registered on 19 December 1978.
The objectives of the society are, to improve the economic conditions of the Irulas, and to accord a dignity to their indigenous knowledge, which had been denied to them.
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| This was to be achieved by the below methods: |
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Establish a centre for the maintenance of snakes, to extract venom in an organized and studied manner, and market the venom to laboratories
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Collect and sell products such as herbs and honey |
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Capture, monitor and sell biological specimens to schools and colleges |
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Outsource biological methods of controlling rodents, termites and other pests
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To make the natural skill and indigenous knowledge of the Irulas available to naturalists (as field assistants) and government agencies involved in wildlife monitoring, studies and collection |
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To investigate and experiment with the farming of wildlife; such as the farming of crocodiles, snakes, lizards, frogs, fish and butterflies |
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To provide essential services such as medical, educational and savings/loan facilities to members of the society-practices that are often denied to tribal communities
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To formulate a ‘technical skill-value rating’ for Irulas according to their specialized knowledge, in lieu of the academic ratings of formally trained technicians |
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Maintenance and management of venomous snakes
The four species of venomous snakes in India that account for the majority of snakebite related deaths are Indian cobra, Naja naja, Russells viper, Vipera russelli, Common Krait, Bungarus caeruleus and Saw scaled viper, Echis carinatus. The society deals with the extraction from these species of snakes. Required species and number of snakes are decided by the society and members are informed every month.
Snakes are purchased from the licensed members at fixed rates.
Once purchased, the snakes are kept in individual earthen pots, in a snake pit measuring 19 X 12.5 X 2 m. The length, weight, sex and site of capture are recorded at the time of purchase. Each snake is marked with stock code numbers on individual ventral scales The snakes are then put in earthen pots which are half filled with sand and glucose water provided in a small cup.
Collection and sale of venom
Venom is extracted from each snake once a week and the process is continued for four weeks. Snakes are released into Reserve Forests nearby, in the presence of a Forest Ranger.
Venom is extracted with great precaution. A table with an apparatus to collect venom is placed on a raised platform in the center of the snake pit. The apparatus consists of a long wooden stem, with a wine glass fixed to the top. The mouth of the glass is covered with smooth, thin rexine and held in place with rubber bands. Venom once collected is freeze dried by centrifugation under minus 40º C, stored at 10º C in the freezer chamber of a Lyophilizer which turns it into solid minute crystals. The crystallized venom is stored in airtight bottles and stored in a refrigerator. The society sells the venom to laboratories for preparation of anti venom serum; venom is also sold in small quantities to research laboratories and universities for research.
Scorpion venom is also extracted to be sold to research laboratories and universities for research.
At the time of its inception, till 1984 Harry Andrews as the Project manager developed the infrastructure and provided training to the Irulas on venom processing, handling and release of snakes. Currently Mr Dravidamani serves as the Secretary and Technical Manager of the co operative.
For details contact: The Secretary, ISCICS, Vadanemmeli, Mamallapuram-603 104, Tamil Nadu, S.India. Ph:+91-044-27472466. |
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The Irula Tribal Womens Welfare Society (ITWWS)
ITWWS is a society established by the CrocBank in 1985 to enhance the traditional skills and document it for the empowerment of Irula women. It is a registered society under the Government of Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.
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| Objectives of the ITWWS: |
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Establishing self help eco development programs |
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Tree planting on private and public lands for sustained utilization by local communities |
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Establishing a seed bank and tree nurseries for distribution and sale |
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Preparing and selling medicinal products, herbal teas, shampoos and other natural products
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Empowering Irula women to confront and address social and economic disadvantages |
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Linking with national women’s and adivasis movements. |
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Documenting Irula knowledge of medicinal plants, trees and natural history skills |
Harry Andrews was initially the project manager and a consultant after 1989, after which Mrs Vijaylakshmi was appointed as the project manager. Mr Krishnan a sociologist has been the projects co ordinator since 1991. Ms Manjula a biologist has also worked extensively with the society.
For details contact: ITWWS, Post Box 23, Chingalpet-603 001. India;
Ph: 91-044-27447234, 27449234.
Email: irulatribe@vsnl.net
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