Animal Welfare and India’s Path to One Health
Introduction
India, with its rich biodiversity and deep cultural ties to animals stands at a crucial juncture where animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability converge. This forms the basis of the One Health approach – an integrated effort to attain optimal health outcomes by recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment. In recent years, the importance of animal welfare in shaping public health and environmental outcomes has grown significantly. From zoonotic disease outbreaks like COVID-19 to antimicrobial resistance and climate change the links are becoming clearer. In the Indian context, the path to One Health is uniquely shaped by its large human and animal populations, its dependence on agriculture and livestock and its evolving health infrastructure. The “One Health” concept is not new. It was first formally recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). It emphasizes that human health is closely connected to animal health and the health of our shared environment. This approach has gained momentum particularly after zoonotic diseases like Nipah, SARS, H1N1 and COVID-19 which all originated from animals. According to the WHO, more than 60% of emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic in origin. In India, where the majority of the population depends on animals for livelihood through agriculture, dairy, poultry and fisheries the need for a One Health approach is even more critical.
Animal welfare refers to the physical and psychological well-being of animals. This includes ensuring they are healthy, well-nourished, safe and free from pain, fear and distress. In India, animals are part of daily life. Cows roam city streets, dogs are community companions and millions of people depend on goats, poultry and buffaloes for sustenance. Despite this, cases of animal cruelty, neglect, and poor living conditions are common. Poor animal welfare not only causes suffering but also creates conditions where diseases can spread both within animal populations and to humans. For example overcrowded poultry farms are breeding grounds for avian influenza, unregulated wet markets can spread diseases like brucellosis and rabies and improper use of antibiotics in animals contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Thus protecting animal welfare is not just an ethical concern it is essential for public health.
Key initiatives of India’s legal and institutional mechanisms to protect animal welfare includes:
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act): The foundational legislation protecting animals from cruelty. However, it is considered outdated, with fines as low as ₹10–₹100.
- Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI): Established in 1962, it advises the government on animal welfare policies and ensures implementation of laws.
- Livestock Health and Disease Control Program: A central government initiative to monitor animal diseases and promote animal vaccination.
- National Rabies Control Program: Works towards reducing human rabies cases through dog vaccination and sterilization.
Despite these frameworks, enforcement is weak. Understaffing, lack of veterinary infrastructure and social attitudes towards animals hinder real progress. India has started taking concrete steps towards a One Health framework, especially after COVID-19 exposed systemic gaps.
- National Expert Group on One Health (2021)
The Indian government set up this group under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) to formulate a national One Health roadmap.
- Establishment of the One Health Consortium
In 2021, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched a One Health Consortium – a network of research institutes working together to monitor zoonotic diseases across the country.
- National One Health Mission
A dedicated mission is being proposed under India’s ‘Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020’ to bring human, animal, and environmental health under one umbrella.
- Collaborative Disease Surveillance
Efforts are being made to integrate human health surveillance (IDSP) with animal disease monitoring systems (NADRS).
How Animal Welfare Aligns with One Health Goals:
- Preventing Zoonotic Diseases
Healthy animals living in humane, hygienic conditions are less likely to be reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. For example better care and vaccination of stray dogs can significantly reduce rabies which kills 20,000 people annually in India.
- Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Overuse of antibiotics in livestock, often due to poor welfare and overcrowding, contributes to AMR a global health crisis. Promoting better animal husbandry reduces the need for routine antibiotic use.
- Improving Food Safety
India’s dairy and meat sectors are often criticized for unhygienic practices. Ensuring animal welfare through clean housing, good nutrition and stress-free handling directly improves food quality and safety.
- Environmental Sustainability
Good animal welfare reduces overgrazing, pollution from concentrated animal farming and biodiversity loss. It promotes sustainable livestock management.
Challenges in Achieving One Health through Animal Welfare:
- Outdated Legislation: The PCA Act, 1960, has not been meaningfully updated. Penalties do not reflect the gravity of modern animal welfare concerns.
- Lack of Infrastructure: India faces a severe shortage of veterinarians, shelters, and monitoring mechanisms.
- Unregulated Backyard Farming: Most livestock in India is raised in informal systems, making surveillance and welfare enforcement difficult.
- Cultural Sensitivities: While animals are revered in Indian culture, attitudes towards their welfare are inconsistent.
- Weak Inter-sectoral Collaboration: Human, animal, and environmental health sectors often operate in silos.
Success Stories and Initiatives in India
- Kerala’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) program: A model for managing stray dog populations ethically and effectively.
- Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre: Part of the One Health Consortium, conducting studies on zoonotic pathogens.
- States like Karnataka and Maharashtra: Initiating joint training for public health and animal health workers.
- NGOs like Blue Cross, PETA India and FIAPO: Advocating for animal welfare and collaborating on community programs.
Recommendations for India:
Revise the PCA Act to introduce stricter penalties and include modern standards for animal care. Set up a National One Health Authority to coordinate between ministries of health, agriculture, environment, and science. Increase funding for animal hospitals, mobile veterinary units, and training of para-vets, especially in rural areas. Integrate animal and human disease databases. Use AI and mobile technology for real-time monitoring. Launch campaigns to educate the public about animal welfare’s link to human health. Empower local governments and community groups. Encourage organic and free-range livestock systems through subsidies and incentives. Train farmers on welfare-centric practices. Incorporate animal welfare and One Health principles into school and university curriculums, especially in veterinary and medical colleges.
Conclusion
Animal welfare is no longer just an ethical choice it is a strategic necessity. For India, with its unique socio-cultural fabric and development challenges, integrating animal welfare into a One Health approach can yield significant benefits like preventing disease outbreaks, improving food safety, reducing antimicrobial resistance and promoting environmental sustainability.While India has taken promising steps a more coordinated, well-funded and culturally sensitive strategy is essential. The One Health journey will not succeed without recognizing the central role of animals not just in disease transmission but as partners in building a healthier safer world for all.
References
- World Health Organization. (2021). One Health
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2022). “Zoonotic Diseases and One Health”
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (2021). Launch of One Health Consortium
- Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India (2022) Annual Report
- Animal Welfare Board of India (2023) – Guidelines and Reports
- Press Information Bureau (PIB). (2021). National Expert Group on One Health Formation
- OIE (WOAH). (2022). One Health and Animal Welfare Report
- Narayan, H. et al. (2020). “Zoonoses and the One Health Approach in India.” Indian Journal of Public Health
