Pandemics will be more frequent if deforestation continues: Soumya

Tribune News Service

New Delhi January 16

Pandemics are going to be more frequent due to destruction of forests which could lead to the viruses to jump from one species to another, said Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist at World Health Organization.

Swaminathan was delivering the CD Deshmukh Memorial Lecture titled “Climate Change, Public Health and Equity” at the India International Centre.

She said long-term multidisciplinary studies were required to understand the impact of climate change on mental and physical health. “The way India became self-sufficient during Covid, we need to work on affordable innovations to tackle climate change. India may need at least $1.05 trillion in climate investments till 2030 in areas like transport, energy, waste management to minimise effects of climate change,” she said.

Retiring coal plants, investment in clean energy, reducing deforestation and increasing use of public transport will reduce the impact of climate change, according to Swaminathan.

Giving an example of the success of Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan which brought the death numbers from 1,300 in 2010 to zero in 2023. She suggested that such plans across the country should be adequately funded. “There are 100 heat action plans nationwide. Most of the plans have an oversimplified view of the hazard. They are poor at identifying and targeting vulnerable groups. They are underfunded as well,” Swaminathan added.

She said on the lines of environment impact assessment, health study of all development projects should be carried out

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