NEW DELHI: The Indian government has proposed a National Wildlife Health Policy to address the various health threats faced by wildlife in the country. These threats include infectious diseases, habitat loss, climate disasters, illicit activities, and more. The proposal highlighted in an official statement, underscores the need for a science-based wildlife health management strategy that considers ecological, human, and animal health as interconnected parts of a shared environment.
To formulate the policy, the Central Zoo Authority, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), organized a consultative workshop in New Delhi. The workshop brought together concerned divisions and departments within the government as well as experts from NGOs and academic institutions to discuss the framework for the proposed policy. The policy development process is supported by the GISE Hub at IIT Bombay and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
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The proposed policy aims to establish a comprehensive framework for safeguarding wildlife populations by integrating public health and domestic animal health management domains. It emphasizes the importance of the health of both captive and free-ranging wild animals which directly impacts balanced ecosystems and biodiversity. The policy seeks to develop structured mechanisms for surveillance, research and development, data architecture, capacity development, legal frameworks, and resource allocation.
India is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna with over 91,000 species of wildlife. The country’s diverse terrain supports a wide range of birds and animals including iconic species like the Royal Bengal Tiger and Asiatic Elephant. India boasts 89 national parks, 18 biosphere reserves, and more than 400 wildlife sanctuaries. In total, the country has over 1,000 protected areas including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, elephant reserves, and other conservation and community reserves.
The new policy aims to create a long-term vision for wildlife health management in India ensuring that wildlife populations are protected and their habitats preserved. By integrating ecological, human, and animal health, the policy seeks to address the complex challenges faced by India’s wildlife and create a sustainable future for the country’s rich biodiversity.