National Project on Rinderpest Eradication | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Rinderpest Control Programme Overview

Initiation and Expansion of the Programme:

• The Rinderpest Control Programme commenced as a trial initiative encompassing 18 districts in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra during the Second Five-Year Plan.
•  Subsequently, the program was sustained in all following plans.

Lack of Comprehensive Measures: 

• While vaccinations against Rinderpest Infection (RI) were administered, critical components crucial for a containment/eradication strategy, such as restricting the movement of infected or in-contact animals, mandatory vaccinations at specified intervals, and seroconversion to ascertain the level of incidence/immunity within the population, were notably absent. 
• These essential aspects were not integrated into the scheme nor were they even attempted.

Reorientation of Strategy: 

• Due to recommendations from a task force on rinderpest, a reevaluation of the strategy became imperative. 

Formation of South Asian Rinderpest Eradication Programme (SAREC)

• APHCA, a regional FAO body, proposed the establishment of the South Asian Rinderpest Eradication Programme (SAREC) in collaboration with five countries in South Asia—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. 
• Each participating nation was expected to fund the program at the national level, engaging in bilateral collaborations if necessary. 
• India partnered with the European Economic Community (EEC) for technical and financial assistance, leading to the initiation of the National Project on Rinderpest Eradication in 1992.

By elaborating on the history and progression of the Rinderpest Control Programme, it becomes evident that while initial efforts focused on vaccination, crucial elements like movement restrictions and mandatory vaccinations were overlooked. The subsequent reorientation of strategy and the formation of collaborative efforts like SAREC signify a shift towards a more comprehensive eradication approach, demonstrating the evolution of tactics in combating rinderpest.