New Delhi: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying held a virtual awareness programme on Ethno Veterinary Medicine (EVM) on September 23, 2025, coinciding with the 10th Ayurveda Day. The event was organized through the Common Service Centres (CSC) network, engaging over one lakh livestock farmers from more than 2,000 centres across 23 States and Union Territories. The programme’s theme was “Ayurveda for People and Planet.”
Emphasizing Ayurveda in Veterinary Practices
Chaired by Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary of DAHD, the programme underlined the integration of Ayurveda with modern veterinary science to promote sustainable livestock health management. Shri Gangwar highlighted the rising challenge of antibiotic resistance and introduced EVM as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic antibiotics. He engaged with farmers to gauge their veterinary service access and awareness of EVM adoption for animal disease treatment.
Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance and Promoting Traditional Remedies
Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, DAHD, focused on the use of EVM in treating bovine mastitis. She emphasized EVM’s crucial role in reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by minimizing dependency on synthetic antibiotics. Highlighting economic benefits, she advocated for traditional herbal treatments that reduce antibiotic overuse, which is a leading cause of AMR. The session encouraged livestock farmers to adopt these practices to ensure healthier animals and a more resilient dairy industry.
Broader Impact and Sustainable Practices
The programme is part of the 10th Ayurveda Day celebrations that advocate for the sustainable utilization of natural resources along with the conservation of medicinal plants and biodiversity. It featured expert sessions on Ayurveda-based veterinary methods and forms a critical component of DAHD’s efforts to increase awareness regarding sustainable EVM use. The initiative aims to provide farmers affordable, effective, and environmentally sustainable disease management tools.
Conclusion
Integrating Ayurveda-backed veterinary practices through Ethno Veterinary Medicine presents a promising pathway towards sustainable livestock farming. The DAHD’s awareness programme highlighted how traditional knowledge, combined with modern science, could help address critical challenges like antibiotic resistance while supporting economic and ecological resilience in the livestock sector.
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Source: PIB
