Folk music, snakes-and-ladders to aid snakebite awareness in Bundelkhand

ALHA, a folk music genre and heroic ballad narrating the tales of two legendary warriors, Alha and Udal, is playing a new role in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region—educating villagers on how to prevent and treat snake bites promptly to save human lives.

- ANURAAG SINGH @ Bhopal

As heavy rains cause snakes to slither into human settlements, making people vulnerable to snake bites, the South Panna division of the MP Forest Department is harnessing the popular appeal of Alha folk music to prevent snakebite fatalities. Annually, the Panna district reports over 60 deaths due to snake bites.