Pic 1&2: Bats hanging from trees in Janpath area (New Delhi).
Given the extremely fast transmission of this viral disease and its lack
of vaccination, the only way to combat it is by using ecological
intervention. Some of these ecological interventions are discussed
below.
1. Habitat preservation: There is an urgent need to preserve
and isolate the natural habita of bats. Deforestation on large scale has
been studies to be related to viral outbreaks throughout the world
(Olivero et al., 2017). Ill practices of deforestation should be stopped
immediately, everywhere and compensatory afforestation should be done to
give the habitat back to wild life. After the outbreak of such viral
diseases millions and crores are spent only to counter the disease, to
diagnose, vaccinate the patients and eradication of the disease. But
very less care and focus is given to the basic preventive measures such
as afforestation and sustaining the wildlife habitats. Neither our Govt.
nor the citizens are concerned in this regard. The world community need
to recognise the importance of respecting the wildlife and its habitats.
2. Bat hunting and consumption: Though Bat hunting and
consumption is not so common in India but the rapid transmission of such
viral diseases in our neighbouring countries is a major cause of
concern, Nearly 56 species of bats are hunted for consumption purpose in
Asia (Mildenstein et al., 2016). In addition to that, live killing, and
eating of ubder cooked meat of bats can cause viral infections in humans
(Chan et al., 2013; Fan et al., 2019).
3. Controlling human population growth: India is the second
most populated nation in the world after China, China being the most
populous country has seen three major bat origin COVs epidemics till now
(Fan et al., 2019; Khan et al., 2020). According to the research many
bat related viral infections have been seen and reported in lands with
higher population density (Plowright et al., 2015). Human population
growth needs to be stabilised and regulated through family planning and
legislations especially of Asian countries.
4. Universal ban of wildlife trade : In spite of all the efforts
of world environment and animal bodies to curb the menace of wildlife
trade, it has not decreased but has been increasing each year. New
viruses having pandemic potentials emerge largely due to the un
organised and illegal trade of wildlife as seen in the case of COVID-19
and similarly other outbreaks (Boseley, 2020). Hence, keeping in mind
the fatal health problems, biosafety of the nation, universal public
health, and economic inflows and outflows, it is high time that we
eradicate the menace of wild life trade.
5. Research, wildlife monitoring and survey : Efficient and
effective scientific research is the guiding light to any environmental
problem. Universally it is very important to research and monitor the
presence or absence of wild life carrying viruses. Scientific surveys of
bat population, inhabitation and migration may give instant knowledge
with regards to the origin, travel and spill overs that may have
happened with regards to the virus containing materials associated with
the wildlife in any particular area, country or continent.
6. Scientific ecological research : The Government of India has
started a nationwide research and development (R&D) initiative to
combat corona virus spread and transmission. The Department of Science
and Technology - Science and Engineering Board (DST-SERB) has announced
several special scientific research projects as early as April 01 2020
within weeks of it’s out-break in India. The first sets of 5 projects
have been selected for further development into implementable
technologies level. These projects were selected only after the
peer-review and assessment approval by a Special Expert Committee for
CoVID-19 projects and programmes.