This talk will explore the relation between land use changes and the spread of zoonotic diseases, taking the example of the Kyasanur Forest Disease (monkey fever) in the Sindhudurg region of the Western Ghats in India. Drawing from focus group discussions and key informant interviews, the talk will also touch upon how socio-economic conditions make some communities more vulnerable to the disease than others. The talk will also highlight the local government’s response to disease management involving environmental actors.