A tripartite agreement to launch the project has already been drawn up and sent to the government, Dr Eswara Sarma, Principal of Kottakkal Ayurveda College, sponsored by Kottakkal Aryavaidya Sala, one of country's most renowned ayurvedic institutions, said.
"This is the first time that a comprehensive attempt is being made in the country to extend ayurveda to the veterinary field. Kerala Veterinary University and the state government have shown keen interest in the venture," he said.
Ancient Ayurvedic texts have plenty of references to the application of the system in treatment of animals, including elephants, horses and livestock. Over the centuries, however, they have failed to be developed in a scientific and systematic manner.
The focus of the project will be to promote research to develop this area in a systematic manner, Dr Sarma said.
He said the research wing of the Ayurveda college would be playing the central role in implementing the project.
"As part of this, we would be making a lot of explorations of the authentic texts of ayurveda and the possibility of the application of the medicines and methods suggested by them in the modern context. The ultimate aim of the project would be to develop medicines, patent, brand and market them."
Research would be carried out with the coordination of various departments concerned of the college like Dravyaguna (pharmacology), 'agatham (toxicology) and Sidhanthas and Samhithas (basic principles), he added.