Nature, wildlife can protect us from infectious diseases

City Desk :

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Monday stressed the need for protecting nature, wildlife and environment to safeguard public health and prevent infectious diseases. She highlighted the urgency of changing human attitudes and promoting responsible behavior to protect forests and wildlife, reports BSS.
Noting that wildlife cannot speak or defend their rights, she said: “It is our duty to ensure their rights and the rights of nature.”
“Living in harmony with nature and wildlife can help protect us from various infectious diseases,” the environment adviser said while speaking as the chief guest at a meeting held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel here marking World One Health Day 2024.
Rizwana said the One Health concept represents an integrated approach, recognising the intrinsic connection between human health, animal health, and environmental well-being.
She called for raising public awareness about this interrelationship and implement initiatives under the One Health framework.
The adviser also highlighted the importance of activating the One Health model through local and international partnerships and stressed the need for a collective approach to achieve this goal.
Speaking as special guest, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said the One Health framework should not only involve the Ministries of Fisheries and Livestock, Health and Family Welfare, and Environment, Forest and Climate Change; it should also include agriculture, industry, and other relevant sectors.
She noted that pesticide and herbicide use in agriculture poses severe threats to human and animal health.
She explained that while food production has increased, sufficient focus on safe food production has been lacking.