The Hindu Lit for Life 2025: Soumya Swaminathan calls for body to regulate environmental health
The Hindu Lit for Life 2025: Soumya Swaminathan calls for body to regulate environmental health
India needs a regulatory agency for environmental health to address interconnected issues of public health, environment, said Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, and former Chief Scientist at World Health Organization.
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Dr. Swaminathan, who was in a discussion on ‘One Health: Guiding Our Future’ along with Supriya Sahu, Health Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, and Ramya Kannan, Health Editor, The Hindu, at The Hindu Lit for Life 2025 on Sunday (January 19), said the integration of data on animal and human health is essential to address interconnected challenges like zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food security.
Dr. Swaminathan highlighted three critical environmental challenges: biodiversity loss, climate change and global warming, and pollution of land and water. She spoke about the interconnectedness of these issues, drawing from Rachel Carson’s insight that “in nature, nothing exists alone.”
The speakers agreed that human beings often tend to work in silos. During events like the COVID-19 pandemic or other large-scale emergencies, people come together, demonstrating the potential of unity. Yet, once the urgency fades, the collaborative spirit often wanes, pointed out Dr. Swaminathan, adding that the challenge lies in sustaining this momentum.
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Highlighting the role of community involvement in One Health initiatives, Ms. Sahu said the success of various programmes highlights the importance of community participation. No initiative succeeds solely because of regulatory measures; it is the meaningful involvement of local communities that makes all the difference. She said that programmes designed with a clear understanding of community needs, avoiding tokenism, and fostering active stakeholder roles have the best chance of success. Whether it’s anti-plastic campaigns, education reforms, or empowerment drives, initiatives thrive when communities are not just participants but co-creators of the solutions, she added.
As part of Tamil Nadu government’s ‘One Health’ efforts, departments will collaborate and establish a coordinated mechanism for integrating data on zoonotic diseases, said Ms. Sahu. Another key focus is developing Standard Operating Protocols for every zoonotic disease. Additionally, attention is being given to addressing heat strokes, with efforts to build a comprehensive repository of information and strengthen capacity through training and awareness initiatives, she said.
Dr. Swaminathan highlighted the growing concern that India is becoming a nation of unhealthy ageing due to rising chronic diseases, inadequate healthcare, and the pressures of modern lifestyles. She stressed the need to address these issues by focusing on prevention, promoting healthier living, and improving healthcare systems to manage ageing populations more effectively.
Speaking about the uses of technology, she said that advances in AI and machine learning are improving predictions for environmental and health crises, allowing for more localised forecasts and earlier preparation. Frontline workers, equipped with mobile tools and real-time data, are key to applying these technologies, while traditional knowledge remains a valuable complement, Ms. Swaminathan added.
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