Introduction: Defining the One Health Approach

The One Health approach is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Originating from the recognition that over 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic (WHO, 2022), One Health gained prominence during the 2003-04 SARS outbreak and was further reinforced by the Avian Influenza H5N1 crisis. It aims to optimize health outcomes by integrating policies and actions across sectors to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats at the interface of humans, animals, and ecosystems.

Legal and Constitutional Framework Supporting One Health in India

India’s legal architecture provides several sector-specific statutes that indirectly support One Health principles but lacks an explicit unified statutory mandate. The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (Sections 2 and 3) empowers governments to take extraordinary measures during epidemics affecting humans. The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009 governs animal disease control, while the Environment Protection Act, 1986 (Section 3) enables environmental safeguards. Policy documents like the National Health Policy 2017 emphasize integrated health approaches, and the Draft National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2017) aligns closely with One Health principles. The Indian Veterinary Research Institute Act, 1984 institutionalizes veterinary research, crucial for zoonoses management.

• Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897: Legal basis for epidemic control in humans.
• Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009: Animal health governance.
• Environment Protection Act, 1986: Environmental health protection.
• National Health Policy 2017: Advocates integrated health frameworks.
• Draft National Action Plan on AMR, 2017: Multisectoral approach to antimicrobial resistance.

Institutional Landscape and Coordination Challenges

Key institutions involved in One Health in India include the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for human health research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for animal health, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for policy formulation, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) for zoonoses management, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for environmental monitoring, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for disease surveillance. Despite these bodies’ mandates, India lacks a unified statutory framework mandating inter-ministerial coordination, resulting in siloed operations and delayed outbreak responses.

• ICMR: Coordinates human health research and disease surveillance.
• ICAR: Oversees veterinary research and animal health interventions.
• MoHFW & MoA&FW: Policy formulation and zoonotic disease management.
• CPCB: Environmental health and pollution control.
• NCDC: National disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Gap: Absence of statutory One Health coordination leads to fragmented responses.

Economic Implications of Zoonoses and Antimicrobial Resistance in India

Zoonotic diseases and AMR impose significant economic burdens. Globally, zoonoses cause an estimated $20 billion annual loss (World Bank, 2022). Antimicrobial resistance threatens to cost India up to $1.5 trillion by 2050 (OECD, 2019). India’s animal husbandry sector contributes roughly 4.11% to GDP (Economic Survey, 2023), underscoring the economic stakes of animal health. The Union Budget 2023-24 allocated ₹89,155 crore to health, yet dedicated funding for One Health initiatives remains limited. WHO estimates that investments in One Health can reduce outbreak response costs by up to 30%, highlighting cost-effectiveness.

• Global zoonotic economic loss: $20 billion annually (World Bank, 2022).
• AMR projected cost to India: $1.5 trillion by 2050 (OECD, 2019).
• Animal husbandry GDP contribution: 4.11% (Economic Survey, 2023).
• Health budget (2023-24): ₹89,155 crore (Union Budget).
• Cost reduction potential: 30% lower outbreak response costs with One Health (WHO, 2021).

Data Trends Illustrating the Need for One Health

Emerging infectious diseases are predominantly zoonotic; over 60% originate from animal sources (WHO, 2022). India reported approximately 1,200 Nipah virus cases from 2018 to 2023 (NCDC Annual Reports). Antimicrobial resistance causes an estimated 58,000 neonatal deaths annually in India (Lancet, 2023). India’s livestock population stands at 535 million (Livestock Census, 2019), increasing human-animal interface risks. Environmental degradation accounts for 24% of the global disease burden, linking ecosystem health to human and animal well-being (WHO, 2021).

• Zoonotic disease origin: >60% of emerging infections (WHO, 2022).
• Nipah virus cases: ~1,200 (2018-2023, NCDC).
• Neonatal deaths due to AMR: 58,000 annually (Lancet, 2023).
• Livestock population: 535 million (Livestock Census, 2019).
• Environmental degradation disease burden: 24% globally (WHO, 2021).

Comparative Analysis: India vs United States One Health Implementation

Significance and Way Forward for India

• Enact a unified statutory framework mandating inter-ministerial coordination among health, agriculture, and environment sectors to institutionalize One Health.
• Increase dedicated budgetary allocations for One Health initiatives to enable integrated surveillance, research, and outbreak response.
• Strengthen data integration platforms linking human, animal, and environmental health surveillance for real-time risk assessment.
• Promote cross-sectoral capacity building and joint training programs to overcome institutional silos.
• Leverage existing policy instruments like the National Health Policy 2017 and Draft National Action Plan on AMR to operationalize One Health principles.

Practice Questions

Jharkhand & JPSC Relevance

• JPSC Paper: Paper 2 – Health and Environment; Paper 3 – Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
• Jharkhand Angle: Jharkhand’s large livestock population and forest cover increase zoonotic risks; frequent outbreaks like Nipah virus necessitate integrated health responses.
• Mains Pointer: Highlight Jharkhand’s vulnerability due to forest-animal-human interfaces, need for state-level One Health coordination, and leveraging local veterinary institutions.