Telangana’s First Animal-inclusive Disaster Risk Conference Held

Telangana, with its diverse geography, faces multiple disaster threats including floods, droughts, heat waves, lightning and cyclones. The state is home to more than 35 million farm animals, and the loss of animals during disasters has significant practical and emotional impacts on rural families. Recognizing this critical link, the conference highlighted the urgent need to protect animals as an essential part of protecting people’s livelihoods and building disaster-resilient cities. Vakiti Srihari, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, said: “I am delighted to be present at this important conference. You can count on my full support for every well-considered decision you take. As Minister, I am committed to complying with government guidelines in the protection of animals and wildlife and ensuring that all official procedures are followed. I am assured that my team and I will work closely and responsibly with you in this joint task.”

Praveen Suresh, disaster relief and response team manager at Humane World for Animals India, said: “True disaster preparedness means leaving no one behind. When we plan for the safety of animals, we also protect the people who depend on them. By investing in animal-inclusive planning today, we can reduce future losses, support faster recovery of families, and ensure that entire communities (both humans and animals) can withstand and bounce back from disasters with dignity. What stands out today is how much stronger our solutions have become when different parties come.” “When everyone from veterinarians to disaster responders to local officials brings their expertise to the table, practical ideas that can really work emerge and that’s where real change begins.”

Mahendra Rajaram, Disaster Risk and Resilience Officer (South India), UNICEF India, said: “In the context of disaster, we all know that a lot of stress is placed on families when a disaster occurs. The reason we care about this issue is to ensure the safety of children. If we can protect animals and therefore families, then children will also be protected and will be in schools. Unfortunately, as rural families become poorer, the first impact will be on children and their education.”

Through panel discussions, expert dialogues and open debates, the conference facilitated cross-sector dialogue that promises to pave the way for stronger policy alignment, capacity building and community engagement. The participation of the districts where the Post-Disaster Needs Analysis was conducted in 2024 helped illuminate the most important challenges that animals face in disaster situations. Speakers and participants jointly reviewed current disaster risk reduction measures for livestock, domestic animals and wildlife; identified actionable strategies to create an animal-inclusive disaster management model for the state; and discussed ways to integrate animal welfare into child- and family-centered disaster response plans.