The need for an urban veterinary resource centre at Guwahati
TITLE: THE NEED FOR AN URBAN VETERINARY RESOURCE CENTRE AT GUWAHATI
With a municipal area of 219.06 km² and a population of 9.57 lakh (2011), Guwahati is one of the fastest-growing cities in India. Under the 'Smart City Mission,' Ministry of Urban Development, the city is also a 'Smart City.'
As per the 19th Livestock census (2012), there are 604 farm animals per 1000 households in the Guwahati (Kamrup) metropolitan district. As per the 6th economic census of Assam (2013), the number of livestock establishments within the Guwahati (Kamrup) Metropolitan District is 3376 numbers. This number is 77.73% of total agricultural establishments within the district and 29.3% of urban livestock establishments within Assam. As per the same census, the 3376 livestock establishments in the Guwahati Metropolitan Area employ 7139 individuals. Urban livestock rearing is an important economic activity that supports the income generation of the poor and their nutrition. Peri-urban livestock farms support the significant demand for fresh and perishable animal-based food from cities' growing human population. A prominent, mostly poor section of Guwahati's urban workforce is undertaking various livelihood activities, including livestock keeping. Lives