Department of Livestock Services was first established in 1939 as
veterinary dispensary, which was transformed into Veterinary Hospital in
1940. Till 1964, 33 vet. Hospitals, 21 dispensaries and 18 check-posts
were established. Five farms were also established during this period.
In 1966, Department of Livestock Development and Animal Health was
established and various livestock development programs like animal
health, nutrition, breeding management etc. were implemented. It was
amalgamated with Department of Agriculture (DOA) in 1972 and separated
from DOA in 1979 and named as its earlier name, Department of Livestock
Development and Animal Health. During this period, 75 district livestock
development offices, service centers in field levels, regional labs and
some new farms were established. Divisions and sections were also
established in the central level to support the livestock development
programs. It was again amalgamated with DOA with the name Department of
Agricultural Development (DOAD) in 1992 with the objective to provide
all the agricultural services through one umbrella. Due to some
managerial complexities and problems in program implementation, it was
then separated from DOAD and named as Department of Livestock Services
(DLS) in 1995.
