National legislation required to reserve land for cattle grazing: Veterinary experts

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 22

Veterinary scientists from across the country called upon the Union government to initiate national legislation to earmark and protect land for cattle grazing in India. They gave a clarion call to the Centre and state governments for making serious efforts for livestock development as shrinking land was proving fatal for cattle, its health and survival.

Experts and academicians, including vice-chancellors of the eight veterinary universities in the country, converged for the two-day long deliberation on “Sustainable livestock development for food and nutritional security: Way forward” at Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (KCVAS) here. The conference is being organised by National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (NAVS).

In his inaugural address chief guest, Dr MP Yadav, said the country had highest number of livestock in the world, besides being a leading milk producer.

He said, “But we are way behind when it comes to exploiting total potential of the country in milk production and other milk-based food development. Declining availability of land is proving fatal for animal health and even survival. There is an emergency like situation, but ironically the national and state governments are yet to wake up to the situation.”

Dr MP Yadav, who is founder president of the NAVS, advocated strong need for livestock development, which he said would help nation overcome the challenge of malnutrition amongst children and mothers.

“The demand for protein can be met only if we have healthy livestock available and for this we have to take drastic measures,” he said while emphasizing on indigenous breeds of cattle, cloning, use of high-grade semen, treatment of infectious diseases and provision diagnostic facilities,” he added.

Earlier, delegates were welcomed on the campus by Khalsa University Chancellor Satyajit Singh Majithia, Khalsa College Charitable Society honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and Principal, Dr SK Jand. They called the interaction a rare opportunity for veterinary academicians to deliberate on vital issues of livestock development.

Prof KML Pathak, president of the NAVS and also Vice-Chancellor of Veterinary University, Mathura, lauded efforts of the management, Principal and faculty of the KCVAS to take bold initiative.

Dr AS Nanda, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), also spoke in detail on the need for scientific development and policy driven impetus for the livestock development.

The NAVS conferred fellowship on Dr S Thilagar, Vice-Chancellor, TANUVAS, Chennai, Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Dr VK Saxena, Dr AK Tiwari, Dr RC Patra, and Dr LD Singla for their scientific work in the field.

Major-Gen (Rtd), Dr Shrikant, Dr AK Gahlot, Dr PD Juyal, Dr RK Singh, VCI office-bearer, Dr Gurdial Singh, and the NAVS general secretary, Dr Rishendra Verma, were also present during the seminar. The KCVAS is the first private college to become the institutional member of the NAVS.

Others who spoke at the symposium, include Dr RK Singh, director-cum-VC, IVRI, Dr Bhushan Tyagi, Joint Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Government of India.