Srinagar, Apr 30: The heritage building of the Directorate of Animal Husbandry Department, Kashmir, on the Red Cross Road here wore a colourful look to mark the World Veterinary Day- a ritual started by World Veterinary Association and Office International des Epizooties (OIE) or World Organisation for Animal Health.
 The Publicity Wing of the department had on the occasion put up hoardings and large pictures of improved breeds of livestock and even of endangered species like double humped camel.
 The pictorials on display drew crowds and vets on the campus explained the people the purpose of the celebration of the day.
 The watchword was ‘avoid self-medication for self and animals’ to fight the menace of Anti Microbial Resistance or AMR-the theme of this year’s World Veterinary Day.
 The presence of Dr G N Wani, former director, Sheep Husbandry, Prof G M Wani, former Director SKUAST and Dr Riaz Ahmad Shah of Bio Technology Department of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Shuhama, who has earned a name world over for cloning a Pashmina goat kid, at the seminar which was held on Saturday added to the glitter of the occasion.
 They were given an affectionate welcome by the vets’ fraternity.
 At the seminar organised by the JK Veterinary Doctors’ Association, Dr Riaz held the audience spellbound with his presentation on the cloning of the Pashmina Goat Kid christened ‘Noori’. He even played a video clip covering the cloning technique and the embryo transfer.
 Prof GM Wani made a presentation on economics of dairy farming v/s other agricultural activities and demonstrated as to how the activity was more profitable than other agricultural activities.
 Dr Rizwan-u-Zaman of Sheep Husbandry made an exhaustive presentation on AMR and laid stress on prevention of diseases through increased bio-security and immunization and then rational use of anti-microbial therapy.
 Dr Imran Nazir of Sheep Husbandry dwelt at length on the controversial decision of shifting of Sheep Breeding Farm from Dachigam saying that Hangul and sheep coexisted for centuries together and presented statistical data to support his claim that never ever was there any incident of disease spread from sheep to Hangul or other wild species.
 He urged the government to have a technical audit of the farm and the sanctuary done through an independent third party.

Felicitations:
 The JKVDA held a small investiture ceremony where Dr Riaz Ahmad Shah was honoured with a citation and a shawl presented to him by Dr F A Kaloo, Director, Animal Husbandry, Kashmir.
 Also honoured on the occasion were Prof G M Wani and Dr G N Wani with a standing ovation from the participants.
 Earlier the JKVDA Secretary, Dr Irfan welcomed the guests and other participants.
 Dr Kaloo speaking on the occasion urged the vets to work conscientiously for the betterment of the society and laid emphasis on rational use of antimicrobials.
 He also read out the messages of the Minister for Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Commissioner/ Secretary to Government, Animal & Sheep Husbandry Department, Shaleen Kabra.
 The senior most vet present on the occasion was Dr G N Wani, former director, SHD turned emotional on the occasion and remembered his association with Animal Husbandry and then Sheep Husbandry.
 He stressed the need to project the role of vets in society.
 Dr M Ishaq, President JKVDA, Kashmir branch presented a vote of thanks to the dignitaries and the participants.
 Dr Mohammad Maroof read out a message from Director Sheep Husbandry Dr J C Gupta.
 To mention, SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor in a recent meeting of officers announced that varsity was going to promote Dr Riaz Ahmad Shah, Associate Professor, Bio Technology Department of the Faculty of Vety Sciences & AH, Alesteng in recognition of his performance in his field.
 Dr Riaz during his PhD studies at NDRI, Karnal had cloned a buffalo and of late he cloned a Pashmina goat at FVSc Alesteng earning name and fame for the state as well as SKUAST-K. 

Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 May 2012 00:00:00 IST