Zoonotic Spillover Risk at the Human–Langur Interface in the Forested Uplands of Jharkhand, India

This presentation was delivered by Kulesh Bhandari at the International Conference on Nipah and Other Zoonotic Spillovers (IAV Kerala 2025), held on 12–13 July 2025 in Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Drawing upon intensive field research conducted in the remote tribal forests of Kathikund, Dumka district, Jharkhand, India, the presentation explores the intricate ecology of zoonotic spillovers through the lens of local biodiversity patterns, primate-human interactions, and indigenous environmental knowledge. It integrates personal field observations of langur behaviour, pollinator diversity, and habitat fragmentation, underlining how subtle ecological imbalances may precipitate larger public health concerns, including emerging zoonotic threats. The work highlights the necessity of bridging traditional ecological wisdom with modern One Health frameworks to build resilient systems in biodiversity-rich but economically marginalised regions. It reflects on the lived realities of tribal communities who share close spatial and cultural proximities with wildlife, often without adequate health infrastructure to buffer novel disease risks. This scholarly contribution aims to initiate dialogue on safeguarding both ecological and human health by embracing transdisciplinary perspectives, rooted field observations, and culturally sensitive approaches. The presentation was part of the “Young Scientist Trophy” session, and is made openly available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), inviting further engagement and collaboration from researchers, public health practitioners, and policy makers interested in the confluence of biodiversity conservation, zoonotic disease ecology, and rural livelihoods. ---For more works by the author, please visit:- ORCID: 0009-0008-6831-0562- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=z09D7KwAAAAJ- Research Portfolio (Notion): https://www.notion.so/Research-Profile-22048304fb6c809dac8af3af4c87073b?source=copy_link