Environment, Development and Sustainability in India: Perspectives, Issues and Alternatives

This book provides a comprehensive account of asymmetric linkage in the trilogy of environment, development and sustainability and its impact on society. It examines varied perspectives and issues of development related to environmental destruction and sustainability challenges. By examining the recent trends of development and recording the dilemmas which are creating ecological imbalances, it explores some alternative ways of development to achieve sustainability. Divided into three parts, it has a broad canvass. The first section examines critically the 'perspectives' on ecology, practice and ethics, rural development and man-forest interaction in the metropolis. 'Issues' of dams, river, agricultural distress, environmental migration, eco-tourism, ecological conservation and land acquisition are assessed in part second. 'Alternative' means of development is explored in part third by incorporating chapters on the constructed wetland, biofuels, subsistence economy, water and traditional knowledge practice. This interdisciplinary book is of immense significance to academicians, researchers, postgraduate and graduate-level students of social sciences and environmental studies; policymakers, development practitioners and NGOs working in the area of environment and development. 

This book provides a comprehensive account of asymmetric linkage in the trilogy of environment, development and sustainability and its impact on society. It examines varied perspectives and issues of development related to environmental destruction and sustainability challenges. By examining the recent trends of development and recording the dilemmas which are creating ecological imbalances, it explores some alternative ways of development to achieve sustainability. Divided into three parts, it has a broad canvass. The first section examines critically the ‘perspectives’ on ecology, practice and ethics, rural development and man–forest interaction in the metropolis. ‘Issues’ of dams, river, agricultural distress, environmental migration, eco-tourism, ecological conservation and land acquisition are assessed in part second. ‘Alternative’ means of development is explored in part third by incorporating chapters on the constructed wetland, biofuels, subsistence economy, water and traditional knowledge practice. This interdisciplinary book is of immense significance to academicians, researchers, postgraduate and graduate-level students of social sciences and environmental studies; policymakers, development practitioners and NGOs working in the area of environment and development. 

Introduction.- Ecology, Culture and Development.- On Development: Practice and Ethics.- Sustainability: Revisiting Enduring Modern and Identified Tradition.- Explaining Rural Development in Contemporary India: A Paradoxical Situation.- Man – Forest Interaction in a Metropolis: Perspectives from Hermeneutics.-  Environmental Consequences of Dams: A Study of Select Hydroelectric Projects in India.- Impact of Efforts on Ganga Restoration and Conservation.- Locating Agricultural Distress in India: Realigning for Sustainability and Nutritional Security.- Environmental  Migration: A Challenge for Sustainable Development.