Antivirus Park

Zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19, Ebola, SARS, and avian influenza, account for approximately 60% of known infectious diseases and 75% of emerging ones, according to the World Health Organization. These diseases often emerge at the interface of human, animal, and environmental interactions, driven by factors like deforestation, urbanization, agricultural intensification, and wildlife trade. As humans encroach on natural habitats, the likelihood of pathogen spillover increases, creating fertile ground for pandemics. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, likely originating from a wildlife market, underscored the need for proactive measures to prevent zoonotic outbreaks. 

Zoonotic diseases are not just health crises—they are economic tsunamis. The economic losses from COVID-19 are staggering, with estimates ranging from $8.5 trillion to over $55 trillion globally, driven by GDP declines, job losses, and sector-specific disruptions like tourism and manufacturing. Other zoonotic diseases, such as SARS, H1N1, and Ebola, have caused significant but smaller-scale losses, ranging from $40 billion to $300 billion per outbreak. 

Here is a model/ concept, developed by Prabhat Misra, "Antivirus Park" which if implemented will save millions of lives and economies of nations from zoonoses and pandemics. The current approach to zoonotic diseases has largely been reactive: focusing on vaccines, lockdowns, and emergency medical responses. However, with growing awareness about the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health—also known as the “One Health” approach—there is a strong case for preventive, nature-based solutions. This is where the concept of Antivirus Parks becomes significant. 

Antivirus Park model/ concept offers a visionary approach, blending urban planning, ecological design, and public health to mitigate the risks of zoonotic diseases. An Antivirus Park is a community green space cultivated with medicinal, aromatic, and immune-boosting plants to strengthen resistance against infections. 

These green spaces, strategically designed to act as buffers between wildlife, livestock, and human populations, aim to reduce the conditions that facilitate disease spillover while promoting biodiversity, mental well-being, and sustainable urban living. 

This concept of health has transcended the hospital walls and entered the ecological realm. Antivirus Park is not merely a park—it is a green shield for humanity’s future.

Unlike conventional parks focused solely on aesthetics, Antivirus Parks are functional ecosystems and strictly involve Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Emitting Plants. VOCs can act as first line of defence against zoonotic diseases like Covid-19. These VOCs from several medicinal, local, and wild plants have excellent ability to work against coronaviruses because these compounds are known to act on viral protein targets namely ACE-2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2) receptor, 3CLpro (3 Chymotrypsin-like protease), PLpro (Papain-like protease), RdRp (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) enzyme and other known factors through which coronaviruses gain entry into the human cell and complete the life cycle. The bioactive compounds of these medicinal plants are a ray of hope to develop drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection. 

Antivirus Parks are functional ecosystems. They may include mostly Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitting medicinal plant species like Holy Basil, Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Mango (Mangifera indica), Indian Gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), Bael (Aegel marmelos), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Garlic (Allium sativum), Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria), Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Indian Kino (Pterocarpus marsupium), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Bhringraj (Eclipta alba), Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus amarus), Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre), Kola (Centella asiatica), Babul (Acacia nilotica), Crown flower (Calotropis gigantea), lemongrass, camphor, rosemary, and lavender. These Indian plants including trees emits VOCs like coumarin, saikosaponins, glycosides, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, carotenes, lycorine, quercetine, flavonoid, polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols, saponins, polysaccharides, caffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, mangiferin, astragalin, trifolin, indirubin, sinigrin, β-sitosterol, hesperetin, vitamin C, isoquinoline alkaloids, sesquiterpene lactones, emodin, alliin, allicin, ajoenes, vinyldithiins, catechol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeine, catechin, pyrogallol, gallic acids, resveratrol, naringin, rutin, sterols, caffeic acid, Tomentin E, cinnamon amides etc and can be act as first line of defence against zoonotic diseases like Covid-19.

In a study on lower COVID-19 mortality in Italy’s forested areas explains a surprising role of immunoprotection by Mediterranean plants. In southern Italy, the  Mediterranean plants played a protective role and reduced the graph of Covid-19 cases. In South Italy, the forested areas mitigated air pollution by intercepting PM onto plant surfaces, and bolstered the human immune system by emitting bioactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These trees act as unique sources of useful metabolites and volatile organic compounds (VOC) displaying positive effects against various pathogens, including viruses and positive effects on the human immune system. Persons living in southern Italy received positive effects on the human immune system. Study found that Mediterranean trees Laurus nobilis, Quercus ilex, Olea europaea, Daucus virgatus, Onopordum illyricum, Pistacia vera, and Nerium oleander played important roles in releasing VOCs.  Important VOC reported from South Italy’s forests were Borneol, bornyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, terpineol, α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, β-pinene, oleuropein, lauricides, ethyl acetate, methanol extracts, monoterpenes, sesquiterpene, Kaempferol, flavonoids, phenolics, sabinene and megastigmanes. 

By promoting natural immunity, environmental awareness, and community well-being, these parks represent a holistic tool to prevent and manage zoonotic outbreaks. Regular exposure to green environments enriched with medicinal plants has demonstrated benefits in reducing cortisol levels and improving immune function. 

Trees and shrubs of Antivirus Park shall improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and increasing the density of beneficial environmental microbes, which can positively affect human microbiota. This microbial diversity is crucial for developing a strong immune system capable of fighting infections. 

Antivirus Parks, especially when connected to buffer zones near forests, can act as ecological buffers. They reduce direct contact between urban populations and wildlife, thereby lowering spillover risks. They can be set up near hospitals, schools, public health centres, and eco-sensitive zones. Partnerships with AYUSH departments (India), botanical experts, and local rural and urban bodies can facilitate successful implementation. 

Trees and green cover in these parks aid in microclimate regulation, reduce urban heat, and act as carbon sinks. These climate services are essential, considering that climate change amplifies the risk and spread of zoonotic diseases. 

Economics of Antivirus Parks 

Transforming India’s existing parks into Antivirus Parks, to act as a natural barrier against zoonoses, can have substantial health and economic benefits. Let's break this down with estimates and calculations. 

Parks In India

There is no exact centralized database listing all parks in India, but based on available data: 

-Urban parks in India (municipal/public): Estimated at 100,000+ reasonably approximate across 4,000+ towns and cities (based on data from Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Smart City Mission, AMRUT, etc.). 

-Protected areas (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, etc.): National Parks- 106, Wildlife Sanctuaries- 567, Conservation & Community Reserves- estimated at 219, Biosphere Reserves- 18, and Eco-Sensitive Zones (buffer areas)- estimated at 400+. 

If each park serves an average of 1,000–2,000 people in its locality (urban neighborhoods, rural clusters, or institutional campuses):

100,000 parks × 1,500 people (avg) = 150 million people could be directly benefited (~10% of India's population). 

How much money could be saved from such Antivirus Parks?

Pandemics are extremely costly. How? Here is a calculation:

-COVID-19 cost India alone ~$250 billion in GDP loss (IMF & RBI estimates)

-Globally, pandemics like COVID-19 cost ~$12–16 trillion (different available estimates)

-Zoonoses (animal-to-human diseases) are responsible for 75% of new human diseases.

-Assume a future pandemic could cost India ~$250 billion again. 

-If Antivirus Parks reduce this risk by 1%, then: 

Savings = 1% × $250 billion = $2.5 billion (~₹20,000 crore) 

-If scaled nationwide and proven effective (say, 5% risk reduction):

Savings = $12.5 billion (~₹1 lakh crore) 

Additional savings: 

-Reduced healthcare costs from respiratory and viral infections

-Reduced antibiotic usage

-Improved public immunity and mental health

-Increased tourism/ecological value 

-Other benefits include better biodiversity, climate resilience, and preventive health.

Green spaces have been proven to reduce anxiety and depression. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people who had access to parks reported better mental well-being. Antivirus Parks, with their design focused on tranquility and healing, can be instrumental in combating long-term psychological impacts of pandemics. 

Traditional public health interventions, such as vaccines and contact tracing, are critical but reactive. Antivirus Parks shall serve as living laboratories where tradition and science coalesce, offering affordable, accessible wellness tools. Antivirus Parks propose a preventive, nature-based solution, leveraging green spaces to reduce human-wildlife contact, restore ecosystems, and foster healthier urban environments. 

However, with the growing interest in preventive healthcare and ecological solutions, the future of Antivirus Parks is promising. They can be integrated into India’s climate action, health security, and biodiversity preservation strategies. 

The pandemic has shown that the boundary between nature and human health is increasingly porous, i.e., the recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how closely interconnected the natural environment and human health are. Boundaries between nature and human health are permeable, allowing diseases, environmental changes, or other natural phenomena to cross over and affect humans more readily than previously understood. This demonstrate how disruptions in nature—such as deforestation, wildlife trade, or climate change—can directly impact human health by facilitating the spread of diseases. 

Antivirus Parks offer a visionary solution—rooted in ecology, enriched by tradition, and validated by science. They reflect a future where cities breathe with nature, communities co-create health, and humanity lives not in conflict with nature, but in harmony. Investing in environmental protection, surveillance, One Health systems, and preventive strategies like Antivirus Parks is not an expense, but an insurance against future trillion-dollar disasters. As the world seeks sustainable strategies to prevent the next outbreak, Antivirus Parks might just be the green vaccine we’ve been waiting for. 

References 

1- Antivirus Park