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Journal of Environmental Law and Policy is an international, interdisciplinary journal that facilitates an understanding of environmental governance, policy and law issues not only by drawing upon and contributing to the environmental social sciences, but also linking the ecosystem health, natural resources, and social sciences. The aim of the journal is to promote communication among academia, government, business and industry, civil society groups, citizens’ action groups, and non-governmental organizations who are instrumental in the solving of environmental problems and grassroots level issues.
Rawnak Miraj Ul Azam*
Department of Law, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, American International University, Bangladesh.
Email: rawnak.miraj@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7818-895X
Muzahidul Islam
Department of Law, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, American International University, Bangladesh.
Email: muzahidul@aiub.edu | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1244-2471
Ashiqur Rahman
Department of Law, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, American International University, Bangladesh.
Email: ashiqur.rahman@aiub.edu | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2122-4280
*Corresponding author
(2025) 05 (01) Journal of Environmental Law and Policy 167-200 https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050107
Received: 27 January 2025
Accepted: 29 March 2025
Reviewed: 26 March 2025
Published: 17 April 2025
Revised: 27 March 2025
No. of Views:
No. of Paper Downloads:
This study examines the role of eco-centric zoning laws and wildlife preservation in mitigating zoonotic spillover, a critical factor in preventing future pandemics. Existing literature establishes a strong correlation between habitat disruption, deforestation, urbanization, and the increasing frequency of zoonotic disease transmission, with cases such as COVID-19, Ebola, and Nipah virus outbreaks underscoring the urgency of intervention. While international and national legal frameworks, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES, and various environmental laws, aim to regulate habitat conservation, gaps persist in their implementation, particularly regarding eco-centric zoning policies. This research addresses these gaps by investigating how legal and policy frameworks can effectively integrate eco-centric zoning and wildlife preservation to reduce the risk of zoonotic spillover. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the study conducts a comprehensive review of legal precedents, environmental policies, and scientific literature to assess current regulatory measures and propose strategic enhancements. The findings reveal that eco-centric zoning mitigates habitat fragmentation, strengthens biosafety regulations in wildlife facilities, and enhances global surveillance of zoonotic pathogens. Legal tools such as citizen suits, conservation easements, the regulatory takings doctrine, intergovernmental MOUs, and adaptive management emerge as crucial mechanisms for enforcing eco-centric zoning policies. Case studies, such as Bangladesh’s infrastructure-induced elephant fatalities, demonstrate the legal and enforcement challenges surrounding conservation policies. The study argues for the adoption of stricter zoning regulations, increased public participation, the integration of technological solutions for habitat monitoring, and enhanced legal accountability for environmental degradation. By emphasizing the One Health framework, which underscores the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, the research provides actionable policy recommendations to align conservation efforts with public health strategies. The study’s findings contribute to the advancement of sustainable land-use policies, improved legal mechanisms for biodiversity protection, and a holistic approach to pandemic prevention. In advocating for stronger regulatory frameworks and cross-border legal cooperation, this research underscores the need for a proactive, interdisciplinary response to emerging zoonotic threats.
Keywords: Zoonotic spillover; Eco-centric zoning; Wildlife preservation; Pandemic prevention; Environmental law
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Azam R.M.U., Islam M., Rahman A. The Legal Ecology of Pandemic Prevention: An Examination of Eco-Centric Zoning and Wildlife Preservation Strategies for Reducing Zoonotic Spillover Risk. Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, 2025, 05 (01), 167-200. https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050107
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Azam, Rawnak Miraj Ul, Muzahidul Islam and Ashiqur Rahman. 2025. “The Legal Ecology of Pandemic Prevention: An Examination of Eco-Centric Zoning and Wildlife Preservation Strategies for Reducing Zoonotic Spillover Risk”. Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, 05 (01): 167-200. https://doi.org/10.33002/jelp050107
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