Farm animals play a major role in the Indian economy, contributing to nearly 30% of the total agriculture GDP. The 20th livestock census of 2019 reported India’s total livestock population at 536.76 million. Over 70% of rural households in our country rear livestock, which means that over two-thirds of the rural community depends on livestock for their livelihood. Most of them are pastoral farmers. In a multi-hazard-prone country like India, it’s essential to be prepared for these hazards to secure livestock. As the flood guidelines of the National Disaster Management Authority suggest, in India, nearly one million cattle are lost due to floods every year. Some 44% of the country’s livestock, including buffaloes, cattle, goats and pigs, are affected by droughts and cyclones that kill hundreds of animals every year.

The disaster management system of India has grown since the 2004 tsunami, but the inclusion of animals in the legislative framework for disaster response has remained a growing concern. Though we have a national disaster management plan for livestock and wildlife, the policy response involved emphasises crisis response versus proactively building resilience in anticipation of such a crisis.Unfortunately, the Disaster Management Act of 2005 does not have any mention of animals. The Act does not include animals while defining disaster, but their inclusion in the Act will provide legal support and a conceptual framework for addressing their needs. This will, in turn, encourage state authorities to engage in various risk reduction programs and planning for animals.

Source: weather.com