Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala on Friday launched the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative to address animal pandemics in a holistic manner. This initiative aims at enhancing the country's preparedness and response to animal pandemics, with a focus on zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to both animal and human health. It will also help to improve veterinary services and infrastructure, disease surveillance capabilities and awareness among farmers through community outreach. Mr Rupala also launched World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health, which aims at creating an ecosystem for a better animal health management system covering five states.<br />'' <br />''Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rupala said, India is home to a diverse animal species and the livestock sector plays a critical role in the country's economy and food security. He said, the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative is a proactive step to protect the animal resources and ensure the safety and health of the people.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Addressing the gathering, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr. L. Murugan said that the launch of the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative is a step closer to addressing the animal pandemic and preparedness to handle any unknown infections in future.</span><br />