In a bold and timely move to shield the nation from future pandemics, India has launched a pioneering scientific study that bridges the gap between human, animal, and environmental health. For the first time, a comprehensive inter-ministerial initiative will examine how zoonotic diseases—those that jump from animals to humans—might emerge from the country’s rich and biodiverse bird sanctuaries.
This groundbreaking project is being rolled out across select bird sanctuaries and wetlands in Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, where human settlements closely interface with dense wildlife habitats and migratory bird flyways. By leveraging the One Health approach, the study will monitor the health of humans, migratory birds, and their shared environment in an integrated manner, setting the stage for India’s first real-time zoonotic disease surveillance model.
The initiative was officially launched at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) headquarters in New Delhi, and it is already being hailed as a blueprint for proactive pandemic preparedness.
Understanding the One Health Approach
“One Health” is more than a buzzword—it’s a globally endorsed strategy that recognizes the deep interconnection between the health of humans, animals, and the ecosystems they inhabit. With zoonotic diseases like COVID-19, avian flu, and Nipah virus posing serious public health threats, this approach emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration to identify risks before they spiral into global crises.
The new initiative in India embodies this philosophy, aligning multiple government agencies and scientific departments to detect zoonotic pathogens before they make the leap to humans.
A Timely Response to a Growing Threat
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR and Secretary of the Department of Health Research, described the initiative as a vital step in transforming India’s health response systems from reactive to proactive.
“Just as radar systems are crucial for national security, robust surveillance systems are essential for early detection and timely containment of emerging health threats,” said Dr. Bahl. “Scientific institutions must lead the way in creating innovative tools and systems that can be embedded into national programs.”
He added that the initiative aligns perfectly with the goals of the National One Health Mission (NOHM)—a policy framework launched to unify human, animal, and environmental health responses across India.
Real-Time Surveillance: A First for India
At the core of the project is the goal of building a real-time surveillance model that can monitor and diagnose zoonotic diseases in high-risk zones, particularly in and around bird sanctuaries. This includes:
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Periodic sampling of migratory and resident birds
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Environmental surveillance of water bodies and soil in sanctuary zones
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Health assessments of sanctuary workers, local veterinarians, and nearby human populations
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Advanced diagnostic testing, including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to identify emerging or unknown pathogens
This tri-sectoral surveillance will not only help detect infections early but also provide critical data to forecast and prevent spillover events.
Why Bird Sanctuaries?
India lies along the Central Asian Flyway, one of the world’s major migratory bird routes. Every year, thousands of birds from distant regions like Siberia and Central Asia flock to Indian wetlands and forests to breed and feed. While this biodiversity is a treasure trove for ecologists, it also represents a potential hotspot for zoonotic disease transmission.
“Bird sanctuaries serve as critical interfaces where wild animals, domesticated livestock, and humans come into close proximity,” explained Sunil Sharma, Assistant Inspector General of Forests at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). “This study not only protects communities but also reinforces our commitment to conserving wildlife and biodiversity.”
Workers in these areas—such as sanctuary staff, rescue teams, and animal health professionals—are particularly vulnerable due to their regular contact with potentially infected birds or contaminated environments.
Multi-Ministerial Collaboration: A New Era in Health Governance
This ambitious research project brings together several key ministries, including:
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
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Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
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Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
The collaborative effort is a shining example of how science and policy can work in tandem to address complex, interdisciplinary challenges.
Dr. Ranjan Das, Director of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), emphasized the importance of understanding the drivers and mechanisms behind zoonotic spillovers. “We need to move beyond isolated surveillance and focus on coordinated, cross-sectoral strategies,” he said. “This initiative reflects our national commitment to identify, respond to, and mitigate zoonotic threats before they escalate.”
Dr. Sangeeta Aggarwal, Scientist F in the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, described the initiative as a “pioneering example of inter-ministerial scientific cooperation.” She stressed the need for scientific surveillance to feed directly into actionable public health policies—a critical element for building resilient health systems.
Toward a Safer Future
With the memory of the COVID-19 pandemic still fresh, the urgency of preventive health strategies has never been clearer. According to the Union Health Ministry, the new study will act as a national early warning system for emerging infectious diseases.
By identifying and neutralizing potential zoonotic threats at their source, India can drastically reduce the likelihood of future outbreaks. More importantly, the study sets a precedent for how integrated science-policy partnerships can protect public health, biodiversity, and the environment simultaneously.
In the words of Dr. Bahl: “By embracing the One Health approach, we are no longer waiting for the next health crisis to strike. We’re preparing for it—before it begins.”
The Bottom Line
India’s One Health study is a landmark moment in the nation’s journey toward pandemic preparedness and sustainable development. By weaving together environmental science, human medicine, and animal health, the project sets a bold example for the rest of the world. As zoonotic diseases continue to rise globally, initiatives like these may well be our best defense against the pandemics of tomorrow.
