Natural disaster is an event that is responsible for a social, economical, cultural and political devastation and affects people and communities at large. During natural calamities attention usually goes primarily towards human welfare, however, welfare of animal is also of paramount importance considering their causalities from draught and flood prone diseases, epidemics and different feed poisoning. Livestock rearing in developing countries is a source of employment of many more people than in developed countries. Notwithstanding grave implications of natural calamities on both the livestock and their owners, disaster management of livestock has yet to receive any serious attention in India as also many other developing countries of the world. In this complex scene, the book, which is a collection of 20 chapters, attempts to place a perspective on the challenges and options available in the area of disaster management of livestock. The scientists from different animal science research institute like Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), Indian Veterinary Research Instiute (IVRI), National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Central Avian Research Institute (CARI), Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB), Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI) and National Research Centre on Agro-forestry (NRCAF) have contributed articles on various subjects reflecting their experience and voicing concern about the importance and challenges of animal rearing especially after the occurrence of natural disaster. The book will immensely help the planner, administrator, research and development workers to understand the impact of natural disasters on livestock productivity and also help them to make a plan of action for dealing with natural calamities in advance. A state of preparedness and ability to respond quickly to natural disasters will definitely mitigate the suffering and loss of livestock to a great extent. The book may serve as a powerful tool in the hands of those who are seriously engaged in the disaster related activities, this book is a comprehensive reference manual. This book will also be useful for progressive farmers and the graduate students in the disciplines of Animal Nutrition, Livestock Production& Management and Agronomy.

Dr. N. Das is currently working as Principal Scientist and Head, Plant Animal Relationship Division at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi (UP). He has 25 years of research experience in the field of Livestock Production and management. As deputy advisor Planning Commission, Government of India, he was associated with the identification of policies and strategies for development of animal husbandry sector in India. He was also associated with the Mid-term appraisal of the Ninth (1997-2002) and formulation of the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) programme in the livestock sector. He has guided many postgraduate and PhD students at Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar. Dr. Das has 50-research publication of national and international repute. He is one of the pioneer worker in the field of animal behaviour. He has also edited another book Forage for Sustainable Livestock Production.