Three Decades of Field Experience • Conservation • Public Health • Capacity Building 

1995 

The Beginning

• Voluntary tree plantation and environmental conservation.

• Informal snake rescues and public assistance.

2004–2006 

Community Development

• Formal inception of the Organization

• Karate and martial arts training for rural school students 

2006–2007

Education & Child Welfare

• Supported the National Child Labour Programme (NCLP) in identifying school dropouts with local authorities.

• Conducted fencing and Taekwondo training for school students.

• Students trained under the programme won a Bronze Medal at the 2007 Commonwealth Fencing Championship.

2008–2009 

Forest & Wildlife Conservation

• Participated in the Tamil Nadu Afforestation Programme.

• Tribal welfare initiatives.

• Began formal documentation and reporting of snake rescues.

• Wildlife conservation activities alongside Forest and Fire & Rescue Departments.

• Rural Snake Safety Campaigns.

2009 

Tribal Livelihood Development

• Introduced & Established Lantana craft training for tribal communities in partnership with ATREE and the Forest Department.

2010 

International Training & National Geographic 

• Featured in the National Geographic Channel documentary on snakebite and venomous snakes.

• Received advanced international-standard snake handling training from Dr. Brian Grieg Fry at Agumbe Rainforest Research Station.

• Worked alongside internationally renowned snake researchers.

2010–2012 

Educational Support

• Annual identification and verification of students requiring educational sponsorship through the Agaram Foundation.

2012–2014  

National Snakebite Initiative

Launch of the National Snakebite Initiative (NSI), an award-recognized scale-up programme developed from years of rural snake safety campaigns, supported through international recognition. 

CLICK HERE 

2016–2017

Mental Health Initiative 

Launch of Kill Suicide Ideation, a public awareness initiative addressing depression and suicide prevention among younger Generation.

2016 

International Documentary

Hosted and facilitated the world's first international documentary dedicated to snakebite, Minutes to Die, filmed in Erode District with the National Snakebite Initiative team and snakebite survivors.Click Here

2017 

National Media Recognition

Featured in national media highlighting snakebite prevention and child safety.

2018 

International Recognition

Founder Robinson Bernard became the first spokesperson from India invited to address the International Snakebite Conference at Leiden, Netherlands, alongside WHO, Health Action International, Global Snakebite Initiative, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and other international experts. 

2018–2020

Snake Safe Zones

Established Snake Safe Zones in schools, workplaces, and institutions in partnership with the Herpetofauna Foundation (Netherlands

2019

Ministry of Petroleum Initiative

Worked with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) to coordinate educational institutions across Erode District for the national SAKSHAM programme.

2019–2020

"50-K Lives" Campaign

Launched the 50K Lives Campaign advocating snake safety education and curriculum integration while raising awareness about India's annual snakebite mortality.

2019–2021 

International Collaboration

Conducted online seminars and collaborative meetings with international snakebite organizations, including:

• WHO- World Health Organization 

• Global Snakebite Initiative

• Health Action International

• Minutes to Die

2018- Today

International Partnership

NSI partnered with the Herpetofauna Foundation (Netherlands) to advance snakebite prevention, conservation, and community education.

2019–2022 

Fire & Rescue Capacity Building

Delivered Snake Safety Officer Skill Development Training to hundreds of firefighters across Tamil Nadu under the guidance of Dr. C. Sylendra Babu, IPS, Director General of Fire & Rescue Services.

2020 

International Champion Recognition

Shyamala Mathavi was recognized internationally as a Snakebite Champion for contributions to education, community empowerment, and snakebite prevention.

2022

SNAKEBITE CHAMPIONS

Champions Around the Globe  

Women Champion Shyamala Mathavi  

Robin Bernard 

2006–2020

Public Awareness

Conducted recurring programmes covering:

• Snake Safety

• Biodiversity

• Wildlife Conservation

• Agriculture

• Waste Management

• Environmental Awareness

• Depression Awareness

• Snakebite Documentary Screenings

Delivered annually across schools, colleges, NCC units, and educational institutions.

2010–2020 

Forest Department Training

Conducted recurring Snake Safety Seminars and Snake Safety Officer Skill Development Programmes for Forest Departments and Fire & Rescue Services across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

2013–2026

Maintained daily documentation and case studies of snakebite victims at the Government Headquarters Hospital, Erode, contributing valuable field observations and long-term data. 

2016–2021 

2nd Un Award - Mental Health Research

Maintained daily documentation and case studies related to suicide prevention and mental health awareness at the Government Headquarters Hospital, Erode.

Today 

2010 – National Geographic

• Featured in a National Geographic documentary on venomous snakes and snakebite.

• Received advanced snake handling training from Dr. Bryan (Brian) Fry at Agumbe Rainforest Research Station.   Nat Geo Video

2013 – UN-Habitat Recognition

• National Snakebite Initiative received international recognition for its snakebite prevention programme.UN-Habitat Award

2016 – 2nd UN-Habitat Award

• Green Cross India received international recognition for Youth Welfare programme.UN-Habitat Award 

2016 – Minutes to Die

• Field partner for the international documentary highlighting the global snakebite crisis.

Watch MTD Video MTD Flyer 

2018 – International Conference 

Leiden, The Netherlands

• Conducted by Naturalis Biodiversity Center. NL

• Participated in the international conference "Snakebite – from Science to Society."

• Represented the National Snakebite Initiative (India).

• Contributed to the Public Education session on community engagement in snakebite prevention

 "In 2018, Robinson Bernard, Founder of the National Snakebite Initiative, was invited by Naturalis Biodiversity Center to participate in the international conference 'Snakebite – from Science to Society' in Leiden, the Netherlands. The conference brought together experts from the World Health Organization, Global Snakebite Initiative, leading universities, research institutions, and public health organizations to advance global action on snakebite prevention and treatment." View>>