The Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) Department in Gangtok District organized a series of awareness programmes in March 2025 to educate livestock farmers on infectious diseases affecting animals. The initiative primarily focused on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste-des-Petits Ruminants (PPR), which commonly impact cattle, small ruminants, and pigs.

These awareness sessions were held at both district and block levels across multiple locations, including Syari, Navey Shotak, Sumin, Makha, Patuk, Namli, Tumlabong, Chuba, Singbel, Sang, Martam, and Rumtek. The campaign aligns with the National Animal Disease Control Programme (FMD & Brucellosis) and the PPR-Eradication Programme (PPR-EP), both of which aim to eliminate these diseases by 2030.

As part of the initiative, farmers were urged to participate in the fifth round of vaccination, which began on March 1, 2025. Officials emphasized the importance of timely vaccination to curb disease outbreaks and safeguard livestock health. Additionally, farmers were informed about helpline number 1962, introduced under the Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), to provide doorstep veterinary services.

The programme was led by Dr. Z. Bhutia, Additional Director cum District Head of Gangtok AH&VS, and Dr. Seema Rai, Joint Director cum DDO Gangtok, with support from officers and staff of the department. To further support farmers, mineral mixtures and nutritional supplements were distributed to enhance the overall health and productivity of livestock.