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

✍ Scribed by Manish K. Verma (editor)

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 349
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

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.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface
About This Book
Contents
Editor and Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
Introduction
Sustainability as the New Paradigm of Development
The Concept of ‘Environmentalism’ in the Development Context
Operationalizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Structure of the Volume
Policy Implications and Way Forward
References
Part IPerspectives on Environment, Development and Sustainability
2 Ecology, Culture and Development
Concept of Ecology
The Pattern Theory of Culture
Phases of Development
Ecology and Development
Perspectives and Imperatives
Perspectives
Development Dichotomies
Imperatives
Policy Implications
Conclusion
References
3 On Development: Practice and Ethics
Development: An Angel, an Ideal
Development: A Polysemic Concept
Meanings of Development
Development: Ensuring Good Life
What Is Good Life?
Development: A Conundrum, an Ominous Djinn
Development: A Pursuit of Economics and Engineering
Simple and Complex Societies
Think Ethically: From Some to All, from Pain to Gain
Policy Implications
References
4 Sustainability: Revisiting Enduring Modern and Identified Tradition
Introduction
The Age of European Centrality, Colonialism and Objectification
Enlightenment Crisis, Materiality and Strategic Silence on Ecology
Uneven Development and Exclusion as a Problematic
The Journey from the Global to the Local in Search of Sustainability
The Unfinished Project of Modernity
Sustainability as a Policy and Planning Issue
Conclusion
References
5 Explaining Rural Development in Contemporary India: A Paradoxical Situation
Introduction
Defining Rural India
Onslaught on Traditional Institutional Social Arrangements
Rural Development as a Process
Inclusive Rural Development
A Revisit to the Six Villages in Rajasthan After Half a Century1
The Six Villages in the 1960s4
The Six Villages in the 1960s and in the 2020s
Policy Implications
Concluding Remarks
References
6 Man-Forest Interaction in a Metropolis: Perspectives from Hermeneutics
Introduction
Theoretical Issues
Discussion and Analysis
Policy Implications
References
Part IIIssues of Environment
7 Environmental Consequences of Dams: A Study of Select Hydroelectric Projects in India
Dam, Development and Environment
Bhakra Dam Project: An Untold Story
Narmada Valley Development Project: A Vision or an Ecological Disaster
Policy Implications
Conclusion
References
8 Impact of Efforts on Ganga Restoration and Conservation
Introduction
River Health
Study Area for Strategic Initiatives Under Ganga River Basin Management Plan in Uttar Pradesh
Ganga Canal Capacities on Increase
River Behaviour: Loosing and Gaining Stretches of Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh
Ganga Basin Water Plan: Managing Demand and Supply of Water
Outcome of Water Balance Modelling
Ganga Basin Investment Summary
Pollution in River Ganga
Namami Gange and Other Restoration Programmes at National Level
Industrial Pollution Control
Industrial Sector Development
Water Quality Status of River Ganga
Environmental Flows at Critical Locations on River Ganga
Change in Crop Pattern
Agriculture Income Gain
Institutional Efforts
Policy Implications
Conclusions and Recommendations
Way Forward
References
9 Locating Agricultural Distress in India: Realigning for Sustainability and Nutritional Security
Introduction
Indian Agriculture Sector: Present Trends in Production and Consumption
The Issue of Sustainability
Locating the Indian Farmer
Aspirations of a Farmer: A Case Study
Policy Implications
Conclusions
References
10 Environmental Migration: A Challenge for Sustainable Development
Introduction
Climate Change and Environmental Migration: The Debate
Climate Change and Environmental Migration: The Nexus
Environmental Migration and Sustainable Development
Policy Implication
Conclusion
References
11 Interface Between Tribes and Ecotourism: A Study on Sustainability and Development in Purulia, West Bengal
Introduction
Towards Defining Ecotourism
Purulia and Nature of Its Ecotourism
Policy Implications
Conclusion
References
12 People’s Movement Against Ecological Conservation Policies in the Western Ghats: Reflections from Kerala, India
Introduction
Theoretical Aspects
Biodiversity of Western Ghats
Human Settlement and Deforestation in Western Ghats
Ecological Conservation Policies
Madhav Gadgil Report
Kasthurirangan Report
Challenges in Policy Implementation
Environmental Movements in Kerala
Role of Non-governmental Organizations
Environment Movements in Western Ghats
Land Right and Sustainability, Conflicts in Idukki
People’s View on Conservation
Policy Implications
Conclusion
References
13 Balancing Growth with Livelihood Sustainability: Social and Political Action Over Land Acquisition in India
Growth and Sustainability: Are They Contradictory?
Steps Towards Land Acquisition
Legislative Measures Under Recent Regimes
Democratic Assertion and Political Action
Policy Implications
Conclusion
References
Part IIIAlternatives for Environmental Sustainability
14 Constructed Wetland: A Sustainable Approach for Wastewater Treatment
Introduction
Status of Wastewater Treatment in India
Constructed Wetland: Emergence and Concept
Constructed Wetlands and Its Types
Free Surface Flow Constructed Wetland (FSFCW)
Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland (SSFCW)
Types of Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland
Mechanism in Constructed Wetlands
Advantages of Constructed Wetlands
Limitations of Constructed Wetlands
Design of Constructed Wetlands
Case Studies of Constructed Wetland
Constructed Wetland System: The Policy Implications
Conclusion and Recommendation
References
15 Biofuels for What? Environmental Sustainability and Discursive Flexibility of Jatropha in India
Introduction
Environmental Discourses and Biofuels
Jatropha as Renewable and Sustainable Source of Energy
The Scientific Claim-Making: Consensus and Contestation?
Is Biofuel Green? Case of Environmental Politics in a Village
Policy Implications
Conclusion
References
16 Alternative Approaches to Measure Sustainability in a Subsistence Economy: Empirical Insight from Shifting Cultivation in Odisha
Introduction
Measuring Sustainability: A Critical View on CBA and Exploring Alternative Approaches
Carrying Capacity of Land
Employment-Based Approach
Consumption-Based Approach
Methods and Materials for the Empirical Context
Sustainable Carrying Capacity
Sustainable Employment-Based Approach (EBA)
Sustainable Consumption-Based Approach (CoBA)
Policy Implications
Discussion and Conclusion
Post Script
References
17 Tribal Health and Sustainable Development: Traditional Knowledge Practice and Medicinal Plant
Introduction
Sustainable Development and Tribal Health
Sustainable Development: Man–Nature Relationship
Indigenous People and Indigenousness
Objectives
Study Areas and Methods
Reaction on Climate Change and Degradation of Biodiversity
Policy Implications
Conclusion
References
18 Indigenous Knowledge of Women: Alternative Methods of Water Conservation in Rajasthan
Introduction
Theoretical Analysis and Reflection
Sequencing of Argument
Alternative Methods and Water Management
Gender Mainstreaming and Water Discourse
Cultural Metanarrative and Water Discourse
Development and (Wo)Men Discourse
Policy Implication
Conclusion
References