Dean, CoVAS, Kishanganj

                  Dr. Chandrahas joined as Dean, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CoVAS), Kishanganj, on 24.11.2022. CoVAS, Kishanganj is the second Veterinary College of Bihar under the aegis of Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna. He completed B.V.Sc.&A.H. with Gold Medal from Ranchi Veterinary College, Ranchi, Jharkhand in 1999, M.V.Sc. (LPM) from IVRI, Izatnagar in 2001 and Ph.D. (LPM) from Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana (Punjab) in 2011. He completed PGDTMA (Post-graduate Diploma in Technology Management in Agriculture) from University of Hyderabad in 2018.

                  Before joining at BASU, Patna, he worked in various capacities in SAUs and ICAR. He started his professional career as Jr. Scientist-cum-Asstt. Prof. at SKUAST (K) Srinagar from May-December, 2002 and posted at Cattle Breeding Farm, Manasbal, Kashmir. He worked as Assistant Professor (LPM) at GADVASU, Ludhiana from December, 2002 to July, 2014. He served as Senior Scientist at ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly from July, 2014 to July, 2017 and acted as Principal Scientist from July, 2017 to November, 2022. He has more than 20 years’ experience of Teaching, Research, Innovation and Extension. He has authored more than 310 publications including 62 research articles, 15 books, 12 practical manuals, 37 book chapters, 46 popular articles, 05 Technical Bulletin, 24 lead papers, 55 research abstracts, 53 MOUs etc. Registration of 04 native chicken verities and 03 patents are in pipeline. He received 32 awards including Gold Medals, JRF, SRF, ARS, Young Scientist, Best paper, Best poster awards etc. He awarded Fellow National of Animal Production and Management (FNAPM) by ISAPM in 2019. He guided 07 M.V.Sc. and 06 Ph.D. students as major advisor. He handled 19 research projects including PI in 09 projects. He managed various livestock farms like Native Chicken, Goat, Pig, Rabbit, Laboratory animals etc. for more than 20 years and developed package of practices as well as Standard Operation Procedures for almost every livestock species including poultry.

                  His one of the notable area of work was management of Poultry and Piggery Wastes. He developed ‘DAC’ Technology for all-weather bio-gas production exclusively from both layer and broiler type of poultry excreta. He also developed remarkable technologies for production of compost and vermi-compost from both broiler and layer type of poultry excreta. Simultaneously, he again standardized technologies for Bio-gas, Compost and Vermi-compost Production from Piggery excreta.  He was also involved in conservation and maintenance of Beetal goats at GADVASU, Ludhiana and Native Chicken at ICAR-CARI, Izatnagar Bareilly. Native chicken verities like Ashil Peela, Ashil Kagar, Kadaknath, Nicobari, Ankaleshwar, Coloured Naked neck, Coloured Frizzle, Slikie and CARIRED were conserved and utilized for the development of various native chicken verities for family/backyard poultry production system. Some notable varieties are CARIPRABAL, CARISALONI, CARIGIRI, CARI DHAWAL and CARINEERASAFED.  He was actively involved in the propagation and distribution of native chicken breeds/verities like CARINIRBHEEK, CARISHYAMA, UPCARI, HITCARI, Ashil Peela, Ashil Kagar, Kadaknath, Nicobari, Ankaleshwar, Coloured Naked neck, Coloured Frizzle, Slikie and CARIRED throughout the country. He was actively involved in the development of natural integrated backyard poultry farming model namely ‘Giri-Gram Takniki Park’ on one-acre land at ICAR-CARI, Izatnagar for doubling the farmers’ income.  While working under NAIP Project in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, he developed low cost portable Bamboo made poultry cages. He standardized the concept of broiler goat production under Stall-fed conditions. For improving welfare of goats under stall-fed conditions, he designed linear and hexagonal feeders for goats. He also actively involved in propagation and transfer of technologies pertaining to commercial piggery and rabbit farming. He also worked with various laboratories animals like rat, mice, rabbits etc. and acted as Member Secretory of IAEC for about 8 years.