Some major developments witnessed during the 20 century have greatly impacted human beings as well as the planet earth–the only known planet to support life. Incalculable harm is being caused to natural habitats, eco-systems and environment by unprecedented growth in population resulting in great rise in consumption; rapid increase in urbanization and industrialization; dramatic changes in global economic environment; and reckless use of mineral and forest resources, etc. It is ironical that some of the achievements of the 20 century themselves pose the challenges for the present 21 century. As of 2008, the world population has reached 6.66 billion. According to data from the CIA’s World Fact Book (2007), world human population increase by 211,090 people every day. With 6.66 billion people inhabiting this earth, and the global economy over the next 25 years could expand from $35 trillion in 2005 to $72 trillion in 2030 (World Bank). Such high pace of human and economic activity is putting pressure on global life support systems. There is a paramount need to create widespread consciousness of the environment. It must permeate all ages and all sections of society. The environmental problems call for more than scientific and technological solutions. They require the reestablishment of environmental ethics and values practiced in traditional societies. The book contains articles by erudite scholars and environmentalists who have deeply analysed various issues related to environmental degradation and made valuable suggestions to deal with pertinent problems. They have laid emphasis on sustainable development which has become the catchword in the domain of intellectual activism and accentuates the notion that economic growth should proceed only in so far as natural resources are recycled rather than depleted, biodiversity is maintained, and clean air, potable water and fertile lands are protected. The book will be highly beneficial for students, researchers in the field of environment, policymakers, executives and industrialists. It will create awareness among the readers about the need to adopt sustainable practices, protect natural habitats and preserve biodiversity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR K R Gupta
Dr. K.R. Gupta is a well-known expert in the field of International Affairs. He has published over two dozen books and more than hundred papers in leading journals published in India and abroad. His latest publications include India-Pakistan Relations with special Reference to Kashmir, 3 Vols., Rural Development in India, 3 Vols., International Terrorism: World Viewpoints: Conventions, Resolutions, Legislations, Terrorist Organisations and Terrorists, 2 Vol., International Terrorism: Response of India, Pakistan and the United States, World Viewpoints on National Missile Defence, 2 Vols., Selected Documents on Nuclear Disarmament, 4 Vols., Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Issues in Indian Economy, 4 Vols., Liberalisation and Globalisation of Indian Economy, 5 Vols., A Study of World Trade Organisation, GATT Accord and India: A Critical Analysis of Results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations and Their Implications for India, GATT Accord: Results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, GATT and Underdeveloped Countries: A Study of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and International Economics.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prasenjit Maiti
Dr. Prasenjit Maiti (b 1971) is a political sociologist. He joined the development sector after teaching and researching at the Postgraduate and MPhil levels of the University of Burdwan during 1995-2002. He was on secondment at the Institute of Federalism, University of Fribourg, Switzerland (1999). He was the Director of North Africa, Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent on the inaugural Technical Committee of Fed-Net (2004) hosted by the Forum of Federations: An International Network on Federalism (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). Dr Maiti was professionally associated with Action Aid, West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Consumer Unity and Trust Society, The Energy and Resources Institute, Council for Development Studies and Shelter Promotion Council in the recent past. He coordinated publication of the Urban Development Debates series (Volumes I-IV) brought out by Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi (2004-05). Dr. Maiti served as Reviewer (2001) for policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management (College of Education, Division of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati). He is also Referee for Environment and Development Economics (University of York, Heslington, York) published by the Cambridge University Press and Crime Prevention and Community Safety (Perpetuity Press, Leicester) as well as Reviewer for Globalization and Health published from London. His mainden publication on the problems of governance in the Indian context (2002) is based on his doctoral thesis developed from a German Research Council project under the auspices of the Department of Political Science at the South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg. Dr. Maiti was invited to the International Conference on Federalism 2002 organized by the Swiss Government at the University of St Gallen (2002).
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