Nature, Environment and Society: Conservation, Governance and Transformation in India

The future of humanity lies uncertain as nature falls prey to the loot and plunder initiated in the name of development, growth and progress today. As the vast riches of the earth continue to be endangered, a global consciousness regarding the importance of natural resources, biodiversity, etc. is on the rise. Given such a scenario, what is required is further understanding of man s interaction with the environment.
This contributory volume examines the interrelationship between nature and society in South Asia. It focuses on four points: perception of natural resources during colonial rule, conservation of nature, role of governments in administering environment, and transformation of nature as a result of development or industrial projects.
The book divided into three broad themes, analyses the major decisions taken in India with regard to environment after Independence and their consequences; the relationship between communities which consider natural environment as an essential part of their identity, and as a key factor for social, political and economical issues; and the urban explosion and/or the construction of infrastructure such as dams or roads that have impacted the relationship between different social groups and their territory. It also examines the set-up (policy and stakes), process and consequences (often the displacement of populations) of such projects in three different states of India. Offering a wide variety of case studies representing a large panel of approaches and methodologies from Sociology, Economics, History, Anthropology, and Development Studies, this volume will be an useful read for students and scholars of environmental studies, and NGOs working towards conserving nature.
Contents:
List of Tables, Figures and Maps
Foreword by Jacques Pouchepadass
Introduction
List of Abbreviations
PART I: CONSERVATION OF NATURE
Introduction
Joëlle Smadja
One
Megalithic Landscapes, Cultures and Identity in Northeast India
Raphael Rousseleau
Two
Transforming Rural Livelihoods through Ecodevelopment in the Nanda Devi Biosphere
Reserve
Sarah Benabou
Three
Wildlife Conservation and Tribal Livelihood in the Brahmaputra Floodplains
Emilie Crémin
Four
Effects of the 1996 Timber Ban in Northeast India: The Case of the Khamtis of Lohit District,
Arunachal Pradesh
Nicolas Lainé
PART II: NATURE S GOVERNANCE
Introduction
Frédéric Landy
Five
Women, Self-Governance and Local Political Representation in Bastar, Chhattisgarh
M. A. Iqbal and Samuel Berthet
Six
Forest Conservation, Public Goods and Incentives in the Central Himalayas
Carine Sébi
Seven
Unpacking Policy Discourses and Scientific Management of Forests in Meghalaya
Sanjeeva Kumar
PART III: TRANSORMATION OF NATURE
Introduction
Loraine Kennedy
Eight
The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Some Issues of Environmental Governance
David Kong Hug

Nine
The Gosikhurd Dam Project and Transformation of Rural Social Space in Vidarbha,
Maharashtra
Joël Cabalion
Ten
Consequences of Road Construction in Padum, Zanskar Valley, Northern Himalaya
Salomé Deboos
About Ajei
Contributors
Index