Introduction: Defining One Health and Its Imperative

The One Health approach integrates human, animal, and environmental health to address complex health challenges. Originating from global health frameworks endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and allied agencies, One Health gained prominence post-2000s with rising zoonotic outbreaks. India, with its dense human-animal interface and environmental vulnerabilities, faces over 60% of infectious diseases of zoonotic origin (WHO, 2023). The approach is essential for preventing pandemics, controlling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and ensuring sustainable public health security.

Legal and Constitutional Framework Supporting One Health in India

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution implicitly guarantees the Right to Health, providing a constitutional basis for integrated health policies. The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 remains the primary legal instrument for infectious disease control but lacks provisions for intersectoral coordination. The Environment Protection Act, 1986 addresses environmental health safeguards, while the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009 governs animal health. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 regulates zoonotic risks through food safety standards. The National Health Policy 2017 explicitly calls for intersectoral collaboration, yet no legally mandated One Health framework exists. Supreme Court rulings like Animal Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja (2014) emphasize animal welfare as integral to public health.

• Article 21 underpins health as a fundamental right, enabling policy integration.
• Fragmented laws create sectoral silos, hindering cohesive One Health implementation.
• National Health Policy 2017 is the only policy-level endorsement of intersectoral coordination.
• Judicial pronouncements link animal welfare with broader health outcomes.

Economic Dimensions of One Health in India

India’s health budget for 2023-24 was approximately ₹86,000 crore (1.5% of GDP), with limited earmarked funds for zoonotic surveillance or One Health initiatives. Globally, the One Health market is projected to reach USD 4.5 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% (MarketsandMarkets, 2023). Zoonotic diseases cause an estimated $80 billion annual economic loss worldwide (World Bank, 2022). AMR threatens to cost India up to $1 trillion by 2050 if unaddressed (ICMR, 2021). The livestock sector contributes 4.11% to India’s GDP (Economic Survey 2023), underscoring the economic stakes in animal health. The National Health Mission includes disease surveillance but lacks integrated One Health funding streams.

• Limited budget allocation for integrated surveillance impedes proactive zoonotic disease management.
• Economic losses from zoonoses and AMR far exceed current health spending.
• Livestock’s GDP contribution highlights the need for animal health investment.
• Global market trends indicate growing recognition and investment potential in One Health.

Institutional Landscape for One Health in India

Key institutions operate in silos, undermining coordinated One Health action. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) leads biomedical research and zoonotic surveillance. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) manages animal health and disease control. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) oversees environmental health and biodiversity conservation. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) coordinates epidemic intelligence and outbreak response. International agencies like WHO, FAO, and OIE provide technical support and standards but depend on national coordination. Only 12% of Indian states have formal One Health coordination mechanisms (NITI Aayog, 2023), reflecting institutional fragmentation.

• Absence of a central One Health authority leads to duplication and gaps in surveillance.
• International collaboration exists but lacks robust domestic integration.
• State-level coordination is nascent and uneven.
• Institutional mandates are sector-specific, complicating joint action.

Data Evidence: Zoonoses, AMR, and Environmental Risks

India reported 75 zoonotic disease outbreaks between 2018-2022 (NCDC, 2023), illustrating persistent vulnerability. AMR causes 58,000 neonatal deaths annually (ICMR-AMR Report, 2022), signaling a public health crisis linked to misuse of antimicrobials in humans and animals. Environmental degradation has increased zoonotic spillover risk by 35% over the last decade (MoEFCC, 2023). India’s livestock population of approximately 535 million (Livestock Census, 2019) amplifies human-animal interface risks. These data points underscore the necessity of integrated surveillance and response.

• High frequency of zoonotic outbreaks demands systemic surveillance.
• AMR mortality highlights the cross-sectoral nature of antimicrobial use.
• Environmental degradation exacerbates spillover, linking ecosystem health to human health.
• Large livestock population increases zoonotic transmission potential.

Comparative Analysis: India vs. United States One Health Framework

Critical Gaps in India’s One Health Implementation

India lacks a legally mandated, institutionalized One Health framework with clear inter-ministerial coordination and dedicated funding. This results in fragmented surveillance and response systems, delaying detection and control of zoonotic threats. The absence of formal mechanisms at state levels further weakens early warning systems. Limited integration of environmental data with health surveillance constrains risk assessment. The budgetary allocation does not reflect the economic burden posed by zoonoses and AMR, limiting capacity building and research.

• No statutory framework for One Health coordination across ministries.
• Insufficient funding dedicated to integrated surveillance and response.
• State-level One Health mechanisms are underdeveloped.
• Environmental health data rarely integrated with human and animal health surveillance.

Significance and Way Forward

Adopting a robust One Health approach will enhance India’s capacity to prevent and manage zoonotic diseases, AMR, and emerging pandemics. Establishing a central One Health authority with legal backing can streamline intersectoral coordination. Dedicated funding streams must be created within the health budget for integrated surveillance and research. States should be mandated to develop One Health coordination mechanisms. Integrating environmental monitoring with health data will improve predictive analytics. Capacity building across human, animal, and environmental health sectors is essential to operationalize One Health effectively.

• Enact a statutory One Health framework defining roles and responsibilities.
• Allocate dedicated budget for One Health surveillance and research.
• Mandate state-level One Health coordination cells.
• Integrate environmental data with health surveillance systems.
• Strengthen capacity building and public awareness on One Health.

Mains Question

“Critically analyse the challenges faced by India in implementing the One Health approach and suggest measures to strengthen intersectoral coordination for zoonotic disease control.”