It is an undisputed fact that the animal is an important component of the ecosystem that holds the balance between man and nature. "Animals are factories that convert crop residues into milk, meat, wool and other utilities" (C.K. Rao). Domestic animals, free-living animals and wild animals have, for each, a specific role to play in the ecosystem. 

Perhaps the statement reflected "the mind set" of state and central governments. One does not find the mention of animals other than farm animals in any policy paper or plan document of governments. In Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) too, schemes on dogs, cats or pet animals are more an exception that rule. One often wonders if veterinary science in India is meant to deal with livestock alone? If veterinary curriculum is also to be tailored to such a mind set, it may well be a dairy science course. I am at a loss to reckon, why cats that control rodents from devouring our food grains do not figure in any ICAR scheme or project. Benefits from each animal need be identified, debated and discussed be they the cash or non-cash benefits. 

The veterinarians are expected to help the community to make use of animal resources fully and in a sustainable manner. Therefore, debate on the potential must precede discussion on Veterinary training. The role of animals may vary from region to region within India.

India has one of the richest animal genetic biodiversity. It has 30 recognised breeds of cattle, 15 breeds of buffaloes, 42 breeds of sheep, 20 of goats, 8 of horses, many ponies, donkeys and innumerable ethnic breeds of dogs. Our own breeds of poultry (18 breed are recorded) and other livestock had been used for evolving some of the world's best utility animals. India has many uncharacterised breeds of animals, being reared by the animal owners in remote regions. Of late, an attempt has been made to put on record nearly 130 of our livestock breeds, which hitherto evaded the attention of our policy makers and planners.

1. Animals have become an important cultural element, essential in maintaining the traditional life style. Yak has made it possible for humans to live in harsh areas where production of crop is virtually impossible. Animal Husbandry system in India is essentially a vocation of millions of small holders who raise animals on crop residues (CR) and common property resources (CPR). As the system is not grain based it does not put animals to compete with man for food. "Behind this system is a time tested conventional rearing and a large array of indigenous breeds of domestic and semi-domestic animals living in an absolute harmony with man and nature". (Dr.C.M.Singh)

2. The gross national income from animals, by a modest estimate is around Rs.1,83,000 crores per annum. This would roughly mean Rs.500.21 crores daily. This income is normally generated without any substantial state support like import of raw materials, training, capital, subsidy or support price; hence has potential for further enhancement. 

Table 3: G.D.P. CONTRIBUTION FROM ANIMAL SECTOR-STATISTICAL FACTS

3. As high as 70% of livestock in India is owned by 67% of small and marginal farmers and by the landless. Animal husbandry (specially dairying) is increasingly becoming an endeavour where only those who do not employ any labour can survive. 60% of livestock farming labour is provided by women and more than 90% of work related to care of animals is rendered by women folk of the family. 

4. One-fourth of the energy input needed for crop production comes from animals, saving thereby at least Rs.2,500 crores worth diesel. (India imports petroleum products worth Rs.35,000 crores every year tilting our Oil pool account considerably) Use of Draught Animal Power (DAP) provides income-earning opportunity to around 45 million people. 

5. Animal husbandry generates economic opportunity to the poorest of the poor all through the year. The process evens out seasonal farm labour demands inherent in crop sector and in turn reduces migration of poor in search income earning opportunities to cities. Migration mainly involves youth especially the male who leaves households to the care of women. The poor migrants end up in slums where they live in sub-human conditions, pollution and social frustration. The contribution of unorganised slums in causing disasters, depression, urban violence and other social evils are well known. Animal husbandry is an ideal vocation to retain the rural poor in villages; it needs minimal capital or training. 

6. The animal based vocations like leather processing, provides livelihood to the weaker section of society. Export of leather & finished leather products alone constituted 5.4% of India's export earnings in 1995-96 (as against 5.5% through export of machinery & transport equipment the same year). This income earning process is not dependent on imports of machinery or procurement of raw material out side the country. 

7. Animal waste (biomass) reduces the soil abuse caused through overuse of chemical fertilisers and retains precious water needed to sustain crops. Manure is a major source of energy for cooking. In rural India where, 90% of households use crop residues and cow dung cakes for cooking. 

8. Animals convert organic waste to protein. The role-played by pigs in garbage clearing, providing earning opportunity and production of affordable protein to economically weak sections cannot be under-emphasized. Statistical facts reveal that only 60% to 80% of urban garbage of our metropolitan cities is cleared by designated agencies. The rest is scavenged (or is it salvage?) by animals.

9. Livestock of India are reared in close human proximity where they form component of a system of life (and life style) of the people. Cows, buffaloes, bullocks, mule and donkeys are not just utility animals, but are also companions at work for the toiling poor who rear them alongside their own dwellings. Nomadic tribes like Gujjars and Bakharwals (of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh) and "Gaddis" (of Uttar Pradesh), migrate with their animals (sheep, goats, ponies and dogs) who form part of their life. For the 'Raikas' of Rajasthan and Gujarat, camels are components of their life style and livelihood. 

10. Wild animals and birds play a vital role in sustaining our natural forests. They prey on plant parasites, generate carbon dioxide for photosynthesis; they help pollination, seed distribution etc. Wild herbivores limit the over population of plants; the wild carnivores limit over population of herbivores, who if uncontrolled, can denude the plant kingdom.

11. Animals play a key role in domestic & social security and policing. Watchdogs are used for domestic security; horses are used in riot control; police dogs are used for tracking criminals; dogs are also used for industrial security; in border camels & horses are used for chasing smugglers. Dogs sniff bombs, drugs & contrabands. Nomads use dogs for herding and guarding livestock.

12. Animals are a significant component of our defense force. Horses and camels are part of the cavalry. Mules are used for transport in difficult terrain, specially the hill areas of the border. Military farms provide food (protein) for the men in uniform. Dogs are used in the army for reconnaissance, tracking, guarding and combat. 
Animal rearing is the only substantial vocation for the villagers living along international border. They are under threat of disturbances and dislodgment. Constant poverty often forces these people into illegal activities. These people rear sheep and goat, which can be providing protein for army and a source of income for them. The process can build a positive rapport and mutual dependence between border dweller and the army. 

13 Experience has now proved beyond doubt that animals can provide mental diversion and an opportunity for and indulgence to soldiers recuperating from war wounds especially from the shock of handicap (loss of limb). Presence of animals can provide a positive environment for their recovery and rehabilitation.

14 During disaster, animals are the only salvageable assets of the poorest victims. Animals help mitigate the impact of disaster and help relief and rehabilitation. Animals also play a key role in search & rescue and transport of injured during disaster. Animals' role in disaster (mitigation, search, rescue, relief or rehabilitation) -

1. It is assumed that animal can forewarn, an incumbent disaster. (limited to some hazards; not fully proved)

2. Animals like the dogs are used for search & rescue. During flash floods people escape holding on to animals; all animals are natural swimmers.

3. Animals and animal driven carts are the major means of transport of injured and invalid when no other transport is possible. Animals are used for clearance of debris.

4. During disaster the people loose their property and livelihood. Loss of crops, infrastructure or machinery takes time to recoup. Animals if salvaged can provide the community with food, energy, transport and the other utilities immediately (as long as they are healthy and cared for).

5. Unlike standing crops or infrastructure, the animals can be salvaged and brought to safer places, when disaster can be predicted. In transit camps or in rehabilitated dwellings too the animals can be utilized for milk, manure, transport, fuel (dung cakes).

6. Animals are used for fetching water or for lifting water from the water sources, where machine or manpower are not available or cannot be used.

7. Even in their death animals serve the community; they provide some material gain, through, their leather, bone and carcass.

8. Partially damaged crops & grains unfit for human consumption can be used gainfully as animal feed.

9. Since there is major participation of women & children in the care of the animals. This can be a major diversion to tide over the gloom and depression that follows disaster.

10. Water logged areas of where drainage is slow, can be used for ducks rearing and fish farming. This practice helps in clearing pests that breed during floods.

11. Free-living animals like the pigs play an important role in clearing garbage & waste materials etc. they provide livelihood to economically weaker section and can be a cheap source of protein to these communities.

12. Dogs (pets and community animals) keep the creeping reptiles and straying wild animals at bay or forewarn the community of their intrusion.

13. People marooned during floods or earthquakes in hills and during winter have survived chilly nights taking refuge among the herds of sheep and goats.

14. War is man made disaster. In war animals play a key role in defense. Horses and mules are used for transport in difficult terrain around the border. Dogs are used in the army for reconnaissance, tracking, guarding and combat.

15. Animal rearing is the only dependable vocation for the border villagers who are under constant threat of disturbances and dislodgment. Animal rearing can generate protein food for army and a source of income for the poor border dweller, thus building a positive rapport and mutual dependence for both. Constant poverty often forces these people into anti-national activities.

Free-living animals: Stray dogs consume discarded food, crows' clear spoilt materials that is thrown around and dead animals, snakes control rodents; cats do the same.

15 Animals provide physical and psychological support to epileptic and can help handicapped persons including the blind. These animals provide a fillip to their life through care giving behaviour, which provide them a self worth. Experts say that the absence of such indulgence can be at the heart of several psychological problems.

16 They provide companionship to lonely children. Children below 19 yrs constitute 47.7% of India's total population. Orphanages find it impossible to provide the one to one care to infants many of them develop behavioral aberrations like the rocking which companionship of animals can prevent. For rural Children who graze the goats, calves or donkeys (often in company of their dogs & flutes), the animals are companions to indulge, interact and often play with. 

17 Animals provide physical and psychological support to epileptic and can help handicapped persons. They provide companionship to lonely children. Children below 19 yrs constitute 47.7% of the total population of India. For rural Children who graze the goats, calves or donkeys (often in company of their dogs), these animals are companions to indulge, interact and often play with. These animals provide a fillip to their life through a care giving behaviour and the care seeking behaviour. Expert say that such interaction contribute towards the awareness of self and self worth, the absence of which can be at the heart of several psychological problems.

18 Animals provide companionship to the aged citizens who find animals a source of interaction and a means to livelihood. Handicap is physical and mental in old age. Animals provide the aged a driving force to get involved thus helping them to lead an active life. Aging phenomenon in India is growing at alarming speed. We have 70 million people who are aged 60 plus. 90% of them are from unorganised sector i.e. no pension, provident fund, medical insurance or gratuity. 80% of them are in rural area. 40% are living below poverty line i.e. with hardly any means for food, clothing or shelter. Animals provide income-earning opportunity and companion-ship to them.

19 Animals and birds help community to clear pests and parasites. Dogs and geese keep creeping reptiles at bay and protect man. Domestic goats, sheep and cattle clear the grass, shrubs and bushes around human habitat that can harbor reptiles like snakes. Ducks and fish help clear the water holes and paddy fields of larvae of mosquitoes. Free ranging poultry scavenge through manure & dung pits and clear larvae of beetles that parasitise plants; they feed on ticks that transmit protozoan diseases in cattle. The role of cat in biological control of rodents that deplete our grain stores is well known.

20 Animals are the mainstay of biological research. A number of studies of behavioral science and discoveries in bio-science place these in the forefront, because, many of these discoveries (be it a technique, food, medicine or vaccine) have first to be tested in animals whether in the form of products administered or feed given to them". 70% of the Nobel Prize winners in biology had laboratory animals as subjects of their research.

21 Animals are part of relaxation, amusements and sports. Being a tool for interaction and relaxation for man, they are often used in sports and games. In most of the games and sports there exists an intense man animal interaction, indulgence and involvement. In races or polo, the horse and the rider are partners at work; they develop a perfect harmony of behaviour and action.

22 Media especially the advertisement media and use animals or animal cartoons to attract attention & entertain public. Movies too make use of animals as part of story telling. Many animals form brand icons for companies. Stock-market too uses animal icons to indicate the trends viz. Bear & Bull (bearish, bullish)

23 Animals are part of tourism, be it horse riding, races, elephant & camel ride. Rich animal bio-diversity of our country and the rich natural animal habitation, attract tourists and in the process help the country earn foreign exchange. 

24 Poultry farming has assumed the role of an industry in some pockets of India. But here too it is a production by masses in place of mass production. India produces 30 billion eggs and 0.6 million tons poultry meat, through one-lakh small-scale farms providing livelihood for 1.5 million people. In contrast a developed country like Russia produces 50 billion eggs and 2.5 million tons poultry meat through 600 layer farms & 270 broiler farms (Desai, A. 1998). Furthermore, 70% of the poultry of India is still reared in the backyards where they produce eggs and meat by salvaging food, available around their environment. Behind this modest success story is a time tested conventional animal rearing system and a large array of indigenous breeds of domestic and semi-domestic birds living in an absolute harmony with man and nature. 

25 Multiple Income Earning Opportunity (MIEO): When in some developed countries, less than 3% of the adult population is engaged in Agricultural and animal production, 70% of Indian population is dependent on crop agriculture and Animal husbandry. 30% of these people being landless and 80.6%* of landed rural population being marginal and small holders, land based production system hold limited promise for India. In the backdrop of the fact that nearly 40% people are living below poverty line and employment opportunities in the country is limited to less than 3% of the population, empowerment of the rural masses in an equitable manner is possible only through a Multiple Income Earning Opportunity (MIEO). Conventional animal Husbandry system prevalent in various regions of India can make this possible.