Padma Shri awardee Dr. Punniamurthy Natesan has dedicated over four decades to advancing veterinary science by developing scientifically validated herbal treatments for livestock diseases. A veterinary pharmacologist from Tamil Nadu, he has helped bridge traditional knowledge and modern science, enabling disease management without synthetic chemicals and promoting antibiotic-free milk, meat and egg production.
His work has strengthened sustainable livestock farming, supported efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and improved the livelihoods of farmers across India.
Blending Traditional Wisdom With Modern Veterinary Science
Born on March 6, 1957, in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, Dr. Punniamurthy Natesan is one of India’s leading veterinary pharmacologists and a pioneer in ethno-veterinary medicine. He completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Master of Veterinary Science and Ph.D. in Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology from Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, where he also received a Gold Medal for his doctoral research.
To deepen his understanding of traditional medicine, he later earned a Diploma in Siddha Medicine, combining indigenous knowledge with scientific research.
Throughout his career, Dr. Natesan has served as a teacher, researcher and mentor at institutions including the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), the Veterinary College and Research Institute (VCRI), Namakkal, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Trans-Disciplinary University (TDU), Bengaluru.
Developing Herbal Solutions for Livestock Diseases
For generations, livestock owners in rural India have relied on medicinal plants to treat sick animals. However, these practices often lacked scientific validation.
Dr. Natesan devoted years to researching traditional veterinary remedies, evaluating them through laboratory studies and field trials to establish their safety, effectiveness and standardisation.
His work resulted in the development of stand-alone herbal treatment protocols for several major livestock diseases and conditions, including mastitis, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), lumpy skin disease (LSD), parasitic infestations, reproductive disorders, digestive ailments, rumen disorders and inflammatory conditions.
These protocols provide scientifically validated alternatives that help farmers manage animal health without depending entirely on synthetic chemical medicines.
By transforming indigenous knowledge into evidence-based veterinary practices, Dr. Natesan has helped preserve India’s traditional healthcare systems while making them more accessible to veterinarians and livestock farmers.
Promoting Sustainable and Antibiotic-Free Animal Farming
One of Dr. Natesan’s most significant contributions has been reducing the dependence on antibiotics and synthetic chemicals in livestock healthcare. His research has supported the production of antibiotic-free milk, meat and eggs by promoting natural disease management where scientifically appropriate.
The reduced use of antibiotics also helps minimise drug residues in animal products and supports safer food production.
In addition, livestock managed through herbal healthcare practices contribute residue-free dung and urine, which are valuable inputs for natural farming systems.
His work has gained increasing relevance as concerns grow worldwide over excessive antibiotic use in agriculture. By encouraging validated herbal alternatives, Dr. Natesan has contributed to India’s efforts to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the most pressing global public health challenges.
His research also aligns with the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnected health of people, animals and the environment.
Building Knowledge Beyond the Laboratory
Beyond his scientific research, Dr. Natesan has played a key role in veterinary education and outreach. He helped establish the Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Ethno-Veterinary Practices, jointly offered by TANUVAS and the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (now The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology), and contributed to developing its curriculum.
Through training programmes, workshops, field demonstrations and tele-extension initiatives, he has trained more than one lakh livestock farmers and over 1,000 veterinarians.
His efforts have enabled communities across India to adopt scientifically validated herbal veterinary practices, improving livestock health while reducing treatment costs.
Dr. Natesan has also authored numerous scientific papers and educational publications on veterinary pharmacology, toxicology, herbal medicine and sustainable livestock healthcare. His expertise has taken him to several countries, including the Netherlands, Portugal, Ethiopia, Uganda, Canada, the United States, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany and South Africa, where he has represented India in academic collaborations and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
In recognition of his pioneering contributions to veterinary science and sustainable livestock healthcare, the Government of India honoured Dr. Punniamurthy Natesan with the Padma Shri in 2026. Earlier, he received the Veterinary Council of India’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and the Tamil Nadu Scientist Award in 2013.
By scientifically validating traditional veterinary knowledge and developing practical, plant-based healthcare solutions, Dr. Punniamurthy Natesan has demonstrated how indigenous wisdom and modern science can work together to improve animal health, strengthen rural livelihoods and support sustainable agriculture.
His work continues to influence veterinary practice while contributing to safer food systems and environmentally responsible livestock farming across India.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Dr. Punniamurthy Natesan’s work highlights how scientific research can strengthen and validate traditional knowledge rather than replace it. By developing evidence-based herbal treatments for livestock diseases, he has demonstrated the potential of sustainable, low-cost healthcare solutions that benefit farmers, improve animal welfare and reduce dependence on antibiotics.
At a time when antimicrobial resistance poses a growing global challenge, his contributions underscore the importance of responsible innovation that draws from both indigenous wisdom and modern science. His Padma Shri recognition also reflects the value of research that creates practical, long-term impact for rural communities, food safety and environmentally sustainable agriculture.
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