The Importance of the Irula Community

The Irula community plays a crucial role in India's snake venom industry, catching and extracting venom from various snake species, which is essential for producing anti-snake venom (ASV). They are responsible for supplying around 80% of the venom used in India, significantly impacting snake bite treatment effectiveness, as ASV successfully neutralizes the effects in 80% of cases. However, despite their importance and near monopoly, the Irulas face economic hardship due to reduced quotas for snake extraction and the challenges of a declining business model, leading many members to seek additional work to support their families. This situation highlights a disconnect between their vital contributions and the support they receive from the system meant to protect them.