World Veterinary Day Celebrated at SKUAST-Kashmir, Focus on Food Safety and Public Health | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: World Veterinary Day-2026 was celebrated at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir campus at Shuhama on Saturday, with emphasis on the role of veterinarians in safeguarding food systems and public health.

Observed globally on the last Saturday of April, this year’s theme—“Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health”—framed the day-long event held at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry (FVSc and AH). The programme marked the culmination of a fortnight-long series of activities organised on campus.

The celebrations began with the hoisting of the World Veterinary Association flag, followed by a rally and formal proceedings at the Harmukh Auditorium. A wall magazine titled Vet’s Vision 2026, the faculty’s annual report, and a student literary publication were released on the occasion.

Over the preceding two weeks, the university conducted a range of activities including sports events, debates, quizzes, clinical and blood donation camps, plantation drives, and outreach programmes. Around 200 school students also participated in awareness visits to the campus. Certificates and medals were distributed among winners during the event.

Speakers at the event highlighted the expanding role of veterinary sciences in public health, food safety, and environmental sustainability. The need for strengthening livestock-based rural economies and conserving indigenous animal genetic resources was also underlined.

The university reiterated its focus on innovation-driven agricultural development and ongoing programmes aimed at boosting the region’s bio-economy, including investments under flagship initiatives such as HADP and JKCIP.

The event concluded with a keynote lecture on the global theme of World Veterinary Day and a call for integrated efforts to strengthen animal health systems and ensure sustainable development.