Srinagar: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Department Javid Ahmad Dar on Monday called for greater public awareness about zoonotic diseases and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening animal health systems to safeguard public health.
In his message on World Zoonoses Day, observed annually on July 6, the Minister said the day commemorates the first successful rabies vaccination administered by Louis Pasteur in 1885 and serves as a reminder of the need for coordinated efforts to prevent and control diseases transmitted between animals and humans.
Dar said zoonotic diseases such as rabies, brucellosis, avian influenza and other emerging infections continue to pose serious challenges to human and animal health, livelihoods and food security. He stressed that early detection, effective disease surveillance, timely vaccination and responsible animal husbandry practices are essential to preventing outbreaks and protecting communities.
Highlighting the role of the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department, the Minister said the department is strengthening veterinary infrastructure, expanding immunisation programmes, enhancing disease surveillance and promoting scientific livestock management to ensure healthier animals and safer communities.
He urged livestock farmers, pet owners and the public to adopt preventive measures, maintain hygiene while handling animals, ensure regular vaccination of pets and livestock, and promptly report suspected disease outbreaks to the nearest veterinary institutions.
Emphasising the importance of the One Health approach, Dar called for closer coordination among the Animal Husbandry Department and allied agencies to effectively tackle zoonotic diseases, saying that protecting animal health is intrinsically linked to safeguarding human health and the environment.
The Minister also appreciated the dedication of veterinarians, para-veterinary staff and field functionaries for their contribution to livestock health and the rural economy. He expressed confidence that greater public awareness, scientific interventions and community participation would help build a resilient system for preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases in Jammu and Kashmir.
He appealed to all stakeholders to observe World Zoonoses Day by spreading awareness about disease prevention and adopting responsible practices that contribute to healthier animals, healthier people and a healthier environment.