Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying Organizes National Consultation Workshop on Veterinary Bio Waste Management
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, organised a National Consultation Workshop on Veterinary Bio-Waste Management for Sustainable Livestock and Health on 24 November 2025 in New Delhi under the Pandemic Fund Project titled Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
The workshop brought together participants from ministries, State Animal Husbandry Departments, research institutions, development partners, private sector organisations, civil society, and B. V. Sc. students of various colleges.
Discussions on Waste Management and One Health Preparedness
In his inaugural address, Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, DAHD, noted the relevance of biogas and bio-manure at household and community levels and referred to ongoing work to expand its potential through carbon-finance linkages. He underscored the need for strong livestock and biomedical waste management systems, scientific handling practices, adherence to regulations, and innovative and scalable approaches aligned with One Health preparedness.
Shri R.S. Sinha, Additional Secretary (LH), DAHD, outlined the department’s multi-pronged initiatives to enhance livestock health and pointed to the essential role of effective bio-waste management in outbreak control and improving global acceptability of livestock products. Senior officials, including Dr. Praveen Malik (AHC), Dr. Muthukumarasamy B (JS–NLM), and Dr. V. Jaya Chandra Bhanu Reddy (Director–LH), along with representatives from the World Bank and the Pandemic Fund Secretariat, emphasised the importance of strengthening bio-waste systems for better animal and public health outcomes.
Key Discussion Areas and Participation
The workshop recorded participation from State and UT officials, CPCB, ILRI, ICAR institutes, NDDB, Vice Chancellors of State Veterinary Universities, and private-sector representatives. Discussions covered policy and regulatory frameworks, challenges faced by States, current practices, circular-economy approaches, and waste management processes across dairy, poultry, and meat sectors, including considerations during disease outbreaks and natural disasters.
Outcomes of the Workshop
The key outcomes included developing a comprehensive National Action Plan or Guidelines, enhancing infrastructure and capacities, and promoting the adoption of good practices at the field level. Participants expressed commitment to strengthened inter-sectoral coordination and continued technical collaboration under the Pandemic Fund Project to support national systems for sustainable veterinary and livestock waste management.