Cleaning Up the Ganges

The Ganga is the most important river system in India with almost one-tenth of the world’s population living within its basin. It is also one of the most polluted rivers in the country environmental pressures have attained intimidating proportions in recent years. This volume analyses the case for cleaning the Ganga, using rigorous cost-benefit analysis. Benefits, both tangible and intangible, have been quantified. This study, one of the first of its kind, evaluates. User and non-user benefits : Incidence of costs; Methods of appropriating part of the benefits for the financial sustainability of the project; Income distribution benefits. This work presents an interdisciplinary approach with contributions from experts in water engineering, fisheries, bio-diversity, epidemiology, and economics. The book will be interest to postgraduate students and scholars in environmental economics, policymakers, donor agencies, field-level activists and general readers with an interest in ecology and environment.