With the climate seeing unprecedented changes, more research is now exploring the link between species/biodiversity loss, and human health. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts are also reiterating the importance of biodiversity and healthy wildlife in preventing future pandemics.   

The "strong link" that some experts have described – between biodiversity, the health of wildlife in a region, and the health of societies – may sound far-fetched. There's many reasons why people in cities need biodiversity (in flora and fauna) more than people anywhere else.    

At the start of National Wildlife Week in India (3 October), we speak to conservation biologist/writer Neha Sinha (Bombay Natural History Society), and nature communicator Sejal Mehta (Marine Life of Mumbai), about the lesser-known connections between the health of humankind and natural diversity.