Department of Agriculture Strengthens Community Snake Awareness and Management Efforts in Millet

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security is intensifying community-based efforts to strengthen snake awareness, public safety and environmental preparedness across Saint Lucia.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security continues to strengthen public education and community engagement efforts aimed at

improving snake awareness and management across Saint Lucia, particularly within communities such as Millet where sightings have become more frequent.

As part of these ongoing initiatives, the Department recently conducted a community walkthrough and outreach engagement designed to equip residents with the knowledge and practical strategies needed to safely manage and respond to snake encounters, while promoting environmental awareness and community preparedness.

The activity brought together officials from the Forestry Department and residents in an open and collaborative dialogue focused on identifying practical solutions, strengthening public awareness, and fostering shared responsibility in addressing snake-related concerns within communities. Permanent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Security, Bradley St.Ange, emphasized to the residents that health and safety of the public is top priority in the ministries mandate and outlined strategies in properly managing the influx of snakes in the area.

“Today, we just wanted to inform the residents of Millet, Tete Chemin, of our action plan going forward in terms of managing the snake issue that we have and we also wanted to reassure them that protecting their health and their well-being is top priority for the Ministry of Agriculture. We welcome the questions, we welcome the comments, we also welcome the recommendations.

You know, they also made recommendations and the people of Millet, they really made some good recommendations which I have taken note of, all right, and I will incorporate those recommendations in our action plans.”

Several proactive measures were discussed during the engagement, including the rollout of educational workshops and snake management training sessions, the development of trained community handlers, community cleanup campaigns aimed at reducing snake habitats, and expanded public awareness initiatives to encourage safer environmental practices. Acting Chief Forest Officer, Dr. Donatien Gustave, highlighted the importance of knowledge and public awareness in effectively managing snakes within the community.

 “Forestry has an invested interest in not only conserving biodiversity but in particular conserving human life. The welfare of human beings is critical. Today we are at Millet not only to speak to one of the recent persons whose daughter was bitten but to also meet the community with a view of letting them know what are the steps going forward to manage this current wave of incidents of Fer de Lance.”

The Department of Agriculture remains committed to safeguarding public health and safety, as well as the agricultural sector, through continued education, collaboration, responsible environmental management, and the protection of Saint Lucia’s fauna and flora.