Introduction to One Health Approach

The One Health approach is an integrated, unifying framework that recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. It emerged prominently during the 2003-04 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak and was reinforced by subsequent zoonotic events such as Avian Influenza H5N1. The approach aims to sustainably optimize health outcomes by coordinating surveillance, prevention, and response across sectors. Globally, over 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, underscoring the necessity of this integrated framework (WHO, 2023).

India formally adopted the One Health approach in its National Health Policy 2017, emphasizing inter-sectoral coordination to address zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Given India’s high burden of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and ecological challenges, One Health is critical for effective health governance and pandemic preparedness.

Constitutional and Legal Framework Supporting One Health in India

India’s legal architecture provides multiple statutes that collectively support the One Health approach, though coordination gaps persist. The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 empowers governments to take epidemic containment measures, while the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009 governs animal disease control. Environmental protection is mandated under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, which includes ecosystem conservation.

The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 safeguards wildlife and habitats, indirectly supporting zoonotic disease control by preserving ecological balance. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 regulates antimicrobial drugs, crucial for combating AMR. The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) 2017-2021 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare explicitly targets reduction of antibiotic use in humans and animals, reflecting One Health principles.

• Fragmentation remains due to absence of a legally mandated inter-sectoral coordination mechanism with clear accountability across ministries.
• Existing laws are sector-specific but lack integration for unified surveillance and response.
• National Health Policy 2017 is the first policy-level recognition of One Health, but implementation depends on institutional collaboration.

Economic Stakes in One Health Implementation

India’s economic interests in One Health are substantial given the livestock sector’s 4.11% contribution to GDP (Economic Survey 2023) and the growing burden of zoonotic diseases. The government allocated ₹2,217 crore (~USD 300 million) in 2023-24 to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for zoonotic disease surveillance and control.

Globally, zoonotic diseases cause an estimated annual economic loss of USD 20 billion (World Bank 2020), while the antimicrobial resistance market is projected to reach USD 16.7 billion by 2027 (MarketsandMarkets 2022). The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities, with pandemic-related economic losses exceeding USD 6 trillion worldwide (IMF 2021), highlighting the cost-effectiveness of investing in One Health initiatives.

• Investment in integrated surveillance reduces outbreak response costs and economic disruption.
• Livestock health directly impacts food security and rural livelihoods, linking animal health to socioeconomic stability.
• AMR threatens healthcare costs and productivity, necessitating strict regulation of antimicrobial use in humans and animals.

Key Institutions Driving One Health in India

Several institutions play pivotal roles in One Health implementation:

• National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC): Coordinates zoonotic disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): Leads human health research, including infectious diseases and AMR.
• Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI): Focuses on animal health research and vaccine development.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): Manages ecosystem and wildlife health.
• National Institute of One Health (NIOH): Established for integrated research and capacity building.
• International Bodies: WHO (global health governance), FAO (animal health and food safety), WOAH (animal health standards).

Data-Driven Challenges in Zoonoses and Antimicrobial Resistance

India faces significant zoonotic and AMR challenges demanding One Health coordination. The country reported over 1,200 Nipah virus cases between 2018-2023 (NCDC Annual Report 2023), a disease with high fatality and epidemic potential. AMR is responsible for approximately 58,000 neonatal deaths annually in India (The Lancet 2022), with misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals as key drivers.

India’s forest cover stands at 21.7% of its geographical area (Forest Survey of India 2023), vital for ecosystem health and zoonotic disease regulation. The National Action Plan on AMR targets a 50% reduction in antibiotic use in animal husbandry by 2025, reflecting One Health’s integrated strategy.

• Anthropogenic factors such as deforestation, urbanization, and global trade intensify zoonotic spillovers.
• Fragmented data systems delay detection and response, increasing outbreak severity.
• Environmental degradation undermines natural disease barriers, escalating human-animal contact.

Comparative Analysis: India vs United States One Health Framework

Critical Policy Gaps and Challenges

India’s primary policy gap lies in the absence of a legally binding inter-sectoral coordination mechanism with defined accountability across ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment. This results in:

• Fragmented surveillance systems impeding timely outbreak detection.
• Delays in coordinated response to zoonotic threats and AMR.
• Insufficient resource allocation for integrated One Health programs.
• Limited data sharing and joint training among human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

Way Forward for Strengthening One Health in India

• Enact a comprehensive One Health legislation mandating inter-ministerial coordination with clear roles and accountability.
• Establish a centralized One Health coordination body with real-time integrated surveillance capabilities.
• Increase budgetary allocation for joint research, surveillance, and capacity building across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
• Leverage digital technologies for data sharing and outbreak prediction models.
• Enhance community engagement and awareness to reduce zoonotic spillovers and antimicrobial misuse.
• Adopt best practices from international models like the US One Health Office to improve governance and outcomes.

Jharkhand & JPSC Relevance

• JPSC Paper: Paper 2 (Health and Environment), Paper 3 (Science and Technology in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry)
• Jharkhand Angle: The state’s rich forest cover and tribal population are vulnerable to zoonotic diseases like Nipah; livestock is a major livelihood source, making AMR a critical concern.
• Mains Pointer: Highlight Jharkhand’s ecological sensitivity, livestock dependence, and need for integrated health surveillance to frame a JPSC answer on One Health.