Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 24 July 2025
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Andaman and Nicobar Administration, organized a Workshop-cum-Webinar on ‘Partnering for Animal Welfare and Sterilization (P.A.W.S)’ on 24th July 2025 at the TGCE Auditorium in Sri Vijaya Puram. The event witnessed active participation from stakeholders across the islands through hybrid mode.
The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Arjun Sharma, IAS, Secretary (Rural Development, PRIs & ULBs) and Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, who served as the chief guest. Also present were Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (AH&VS), Mr. Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi, IAS, Secretary, SVPMC, Mr. S. Boominathan, Up-Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, and the Samiti Pramukh of Panchayat Samiti, Prothrapur.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Sharma emphasized the need for community-led responsibility in addressing animal welfare and highlighted the importance of inter-departmental collaboration in managing the stray animal population. “Sustainable solutions come not just from departments, but from people. It is our collective duty to ensure the humane treatment of animals while safeguarding public health,” he said. He also launched a set of IEC materials and awareness posters related to the P.A.W.S. initiative.
Introducing the initiative, Secretary (AH&VS), Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, underlined the need for a unified platform bringing together various stakeholders to streamline efforts and ensure optimal use of resources. She also shared the department’s goal of achieving 100% sterilization, particularly in tourist-heavy zones.
Mr. Quazi, Secretary, SVPMC, spoke about the Council’s readiness in implementing stray dog control measures and urged Gram Panchayats to adopt similar practices within their jurisdictions. The Director (AH&VS) welcomed the participants, and a short film on the P.A.W.S. initiative was screened to provide an overview. Dr. Ajay Verma, Joint Director, AH&VS, proposed the vote of thanks.
The technical sessions featured speakers from leading animal welfare organizations, including Blue Cross of India, Mission Rabies, WVS Taskforce, and the Animal Welfare Board of India. Key takeaways from the discussions included:
– “Education is the foundation of compassion,” — Mr. Samaran Thamarai, Blue Cross of India
– “Stray dog management must be data-driven, scalable, and rooted in empathy,” — Dr. Mihir Mazagaonkar, Mission Rabies
– “Humane methods like CNVR are scientifically proven and ethically sound,” — Dr. Anahita Kumar, WVS Taskforce
– “Laws are moral responsibilities of society,” — Ms. Prachi Jain, AWBI
An interactive Q&A session followed, allowing participants to engage with the experts.
Representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Veterinary Officers, and tribal leaders from districts such as Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Hut Bay, Nicobar, Kamorta, and Campbell Bay joined the workshop through virtual outreach centers.
The AH&VS Department extended gratitude to all officials, partner organizations, and participants, reaffirming its dedication to building a humane and evidence-based animal welfare ecosystem across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
