Awareness programme on livestock diseases conducted in Gangtok district
Farmers were encouraged to participate in the fifth round of vaccination, which began on March 1, 2025.
LOCAL
The Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) Department, Gangtok District, organized a series of awareness programmes in March 2025 to educate livestock farmers about infectious diseases affecting animals. The focus was on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste-des-Petits Ruminants (PPR), which commonly affect cattle, small ruminants, and pigs.
These awareness drives were held at both district and block levels in various areas of Gangtok District, including Syari, Navey Shotak, Sumin, Makha, Patuk, Namli, Tumlabong, Chuba, Singbel, Sang, Martam, and Rumtek. The initiative is part of the National Animal Disease Control Programme (FMD & Brucellosis) and the PPR-Eradication Programme (PPR-EP), which aim to eliminate these diseases by 2030.
Farmers were encouraged to participate in the fifth round of vaccination, which began on March 1, 2025. Officials urged them to vaccinate all eligible livestock to prevent the spread of these infectious diseases. The department also shared the helpline number 1962, set up under the Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), to provide veterinary services directly to farmers' doorsteps.
The programmes were led by Dr. Z. Bhutia, Additional Director cum District Head of Gangtok AH&VS, along with Dr. Seema Rai, Joint Director cum DDO Gangtok, and supported by officers and staff from the department. During the events, farmers were also provided with mineral mixtures and nutritional supplements to enhance the health of their livestock.