Hitchhiking microbes: Declining biodiversity & emerging zoonoses

• Published in: Indian journal of medical research (New Delhi, India : 1994) Vol. 153; no. 3; pp. 367 - 374
• Main Authors: Nulkar, Gurudas, Bedarkar, Madhura, Ghate, Ketaki, Nulkar, Sakshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.03.2021; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Animals; Biodiversity; Economic activity; Ecosystem; Humans; India - epidemiology; Prevention; Review; Zoonoses; Zoonoses - epidemiology; India; coronavirus; zoonoses; Biodiversity; zoonotic diseases; ecosystems; One Health
• ISSN: 0971-5916; 0975-9174
• DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_620_21

The connection between nature conservation and human wellbeing is well known, however, the role of declining biodiversity and emerging diseases is relatively less studied. The presence of a thriving biological diversity is known to have therapeutic effects on human health. On the other hand, human economic activities have contributed to a sharp decline in species, resulting in poor ecosystem health. Several studies have shown how microorganisms have switched from animals to humans, leading to novel diseases. This review describes studies on zoonotic diseases and biodiversity, with examples from India. It is argued that conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems and changes in economic activities must be made to ward off new diseases, and why cooperation between ministries is critical to restrict the decline of biological diversity in a megadiverse country like India.