A survey of potential antiophidian botanicals from the Baruipur sub-division of the district South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

Baruipur is one of the five subdivisions of district South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. The subdivision is again comprised of seven blocks. People residing in these blocks are severely affected by the incidence of snakebite. Hundreds of people die of snake venom each year in this district. A survey was conducted in the seven blocks of the subdivision in search of potential anti ophidian botanicals. On the basis of the field survey and available reports plants having anti ophidian activity were identified. A total number of 18 plants belonging to10 families were collected and documented. Species from family Apocynaceae represents the maximum number followed by those from Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae and others.