Sri Vijaya Puram, Apr 27: World Veterinary Day 2026 was celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Veterinarians – Guardians for Food and Health”. Various programmes were organised from 24th to 25th April 2026 at Veterinary Hospitals, Dispensaries, Livestock Farm Complex and other field locations highlighting the important role of veterinarians in animal health, public health, food safety and the One Health approach.
The World Veterinary Day was marked by a message issued by Lieutenant Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, in which he appreciated the selfless service of veterinarians and urged all stakeholders to strengthen animal health care and livestock development for the prosperity and well-being of the islanders. He emphasised that veterinarians play a vital role in ensuring food security and public health in the islands.
At the Livestock Farm Complex, Dollygunj, a Kisan Gosti was organised on 25th April 2026. Dr. K.A. Naveen, Director, AH&VS, A&N Administration graced the occasion as Chief Guest and inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp in the presence of Senior Veterinary Officers. Director, AH&VS encouraged farmers to adopt scientific animal husbandry practices, explained the One Health concept, Livestock Insurance, Cattle Breeding Policy and the new Community Fodder Bank scheme. Certificates were distributed to ten Veterinary Compounders who had completed Artificial Insemination training in Kerala. Sorghum seed mini kits along with leaflets on package of practices and silage making were distributed to around thirty farmers. Altogether more than 60 persons including farmers, unemployed youth, women and para-veterinary staff participated in the programme.
On 24th April 2026, an exposure visit was organised for 30 students of Government Middle School, Dollygunj to the Livestock Farm Complex where they visited goatery, piggery, cattle and hatchery units. Director, AH&VS and Joint Director Dr. Ajay Verma and other officers motivated the students to develop compassion towards animals. Table eggs were distributed to the students. Director, AH&VS also met poultry farmers at the Government Poultry Farm, Dollygunj and highlighted the importance of backyard poultry farming. A chicks distribution programme was also organised on the occasion.
Animal Health Camps and ABC programmes were organised at various centres. At Hut Bay, Little Andaman, 14 sterilizations were performed on pet dogs and cats. A farmer meet was conducted and hatching eggs of different breeds were distributed. Animal Health Camps were also held at all Veterinary Hospitals, Dispensaries and Sub-Dispensaries where chicks, fodder seeds, medicines and dewormers were distributed and procedures like castration, spaying and anti-rabies vaccination were carried out. At Wimberlygunj, six dogs and one tom cat were castrated. At Garacharma and New Bimblitan, four dogs and one female cat were sterilized. A major Animal Health and Awareness Camp was organised at Rangachang No.5 where a large number of animals were treated. An anti-rabies vaccination camp was conducted at Shaheed Dweep while health and ABC camps were held at Portmount and Elephant Point.
In Campbell Bay, the programme was organised at Veterinary Hospital with the presence of Mr. Barnabus Manju, Mr. Sanjay Ekka and Mrs. Shakila Nawaz as invited guests. At Kamorta, two-day celebrations included a drawing competition for school children on 24th April and a Veterinary Health and Deworming Camp on 25th April along with fun games for CLF staff and villagers. AC Mr. Kshitij Gyanraj and Captain Mr. Moses Stanley graced the occasion.
In Car Nicobar, a Mini Mela was organised at Edward Kuchat Park on 25th April 2026. Vice CTC of the Tribal Council was the Chief Guest of the event. The Department showcased its activities through stalls on value-added milk products with live demonstration of Lassi making and display of livestock wealth. Other departments including Agriculture, Fisheries, KVK, ICDS and Health also participated. Six SHGs took part in the value-added meat product competition. A drawing competition was held at GSSS Malacca and a skit on animal welfare was presented by ITI Arong students. Twelve Large White Yorkshire piglets and 500 Vanaraja birds were distributed to tribal beneficiaries. Two staff members were honoured for their dedicated service. Special emphasis was given to promoting goat milk and its health benefits.
The Animal Husbandry Training Institute and Vaccination Unit, LFC Dollygunj also organised an exposure programme for school children on 24th April with visits to the Central Hatchery and Cattle Holding Farm Director, AH&VS and other officers addressed the students on animal care and compassion towards stray animals. Refreshments and table eggs were distributed to the participants.
The celebrations across the islands created wide awareness about the vital role of veterinarians and received enthusiastic participation from farmers, students, staff and local communities.
