Other India Bookstore

Selected readings on Adivasi rights, Environment And The Law

A useful book which shows how climate change and environmental disasters (in this case the Orissa super-cyclone) are the fallout of disastrous globalisation policies.

A powerful new trend in conservation and management of natural resources is empowerment of local communities to manage their surrounds. One of a series of case studies.

Provides a holistic view of the impact of economic activity on the environment. From the standpoint of sustainable development, the book stresses the role of technology and human values in environment-friendly long term development planning.

A brief yet comprehensive guide to environmental pollution and public health engineering.

A holistic analysis of the River Valley Projects planned for the Narmada. Rigorous cost-benefit analysis indicates destruction without commensurate economic gain.

The wars of the future will be fought over water unless something is done now. The late Anil Agarwal rightly put water harvesting at the top of the environmental agenda. This comprehensive sour-cebook on water harvesting in India is an essential addition to the library of every person concerned about our environment.

A good introduction to water issues and the environment.

A powerful new trend in conservation and management of natural resources is empowerment of local communities to manage their surrounds. One of a series of case studies.

Common effluent treatment plants, which were meant to handle effluents from Small Scale Industries, have failed. Such an end-of-pipe technology is doomed to failure—what is needed is a strategy to develop technologies of clean production, rather than generate wastes and then engage in futile attempts to clean them up.

Focuses on major issues related to groundwater in India.

Another in the series of studies on community-based conservation, this study focuses on the tribals of Mendha-Lekha in Gadchiroli to protect the forests around their villages.

An analytical overview and case studies from six countries of South Asia on community-based wildlife and ecosystem management in South Asia.

Practical recommendations on biodiversity and IPRs

Shows how we can solve our energy problems by planting more trees.

An attempt to understand the consequences of the Supreme Court judgement on the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Written by a nature lover in 1933, with brilliant illustrations.

This competent booklet will lead you through the issues of water pollution, give you some solutions and tell you what the world community is doing to combat this problem.

Illustrated booklet on maintenance of fruit trees.

Buddhists offer their insights into ecology.

The first authoritative study of the impact of tourism on Goa in its various dimensions. The book contains several scientific studies. It also discusses a path to sustainable tourism. First of its kind.

A resource book of material relating to indigenous peoples and new ecotourism proposals relating to wildlife. Annexure contains important policy documents related to the issue.

A unique ethnographic study that offers a critical analysis of both the development of the dominant nature conservation ideology and the response of the Karen ethnic people in Thailand and their ecological knowledge.

Basics for undertaking water harvesting.

Vol I - Economic, Environment & Sustainable Livelihood Initiatives: A unique, inspiring and practically useful compilation of the rich variety of innovative good practices being pioneered in Third World countries. Based on a number of common principles, including respect for local cultures and knowledge systems and harmony with the natural world, these volumes will help in the replication these good practices all across the world.

A unique, inspiring and practically useful compilation of the rich variety of innovative good practices being pioneered in Third World countries. Based on a number of common principles, including respect for local cultures and knowledge systems and harmony with the natural world, these volumes will help in the replication these good practices all across the world.

A unique, inspiring and practically useful compilation of the rich variety of innovative good practices being pioneered in Third World countries. Based on a number of common principles, including respect for local cultures and knowledge systems and harmony with the natural world, these volumes will help in the replication these good practices all across the world.

In the name of greed, in the name of sharing of water, we are destroying our water resources irreversibly. The impending tragedy is well illustrated in the case of the Parambikulam Aliyar project and the Bhavani river. A foretaste to come of a bigger disaster that is threatening to unfold nationwide: the interlinking of rivers project.

A backgrounder for citizens in Andhra Pradesh on water issues.

Short pieces on different environmental concerns, including acid rain, ozone depletion, poisonous pesticides etc. Very good for those intending programmes of environmental awareness.

New Monographs that document how the World Bank, the WTO and corporate are pushing the poor further into the pit of despair and misery.

New Monographs that document how the World Bank, the WTO and corporate are pushing the poor further into the pit of despair and misery.

Finally, a beautiful translation of Anupam Mishtra’s great book on the water harvesting systems of Rajasthan.

This book explains the nature of mandatory Environment Clearance required by development projects under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 1994 and how citizens can make their participation effective.

This book is an expose of the global war on trees by corporations and business houses and how governments support this assault on the ecology by misinformation and skewed policies.

The book contains in one bulky volume the texts of three different categories of work aimed at protection of the environment: one, Environmental Conventions adopted world wide; two, judgements of the Indian courts; and three, Environment Statutes of India.

This book brings out the relevance of the indigenous ery eystem of storing rain water in rural areas and advocates the need for modern society to return to these traditional forms of water harvesting in India.

Association for India’s Development (AID) is a volunteer movement in the USA. Volunteers from 31 chapters of AID registered for an on-line tutorial on the Narmada Valley struggle, which was conducted in a phased manner. This book reports on the three Tracks of the tutorial, with course material, questions and answers and comments interspersed throughout.

The Book Of Indian Shells Is A Useful Field Guide For The Amateur Shell Collector Or Naturalist, As It Covers 313 Species Of The Shells Likely To Be Seen In India. Details Of The Habits And Habitat Are Given To Augment The Field Identification. Notes On Conservation And The Economic Importance Of Some Species Are Also Provided To Increase Substantially The Value Of A Fascinating Hobby.

Eighteen essays on aspects of forestry in India, including papers on the Gujjars of Rajaji National Park and the ecology of white Oak in Uttarkhand.

Beautiful designed, the book promotes indigenous water harvesting traditions.

This hand book introduces the reader to the world of IPRs, biodiversity and biodiversity-related traditional knowledge, using question and answer format. It begins with basic information and progresses to more complex issues thus making it a handy guide both for the lay person as well as those already familiar with the subject.

The Biodiversity Act has a critical bearing on the conservation and management of biodiversity in the country. This dossier gives the background to the passing of the Act, the text of the Act and the Rules, a description of the institutional structure that has been prescribed in the legislation for its implementation and comments on the legislation from persons who have been intimately connected with the conservation of the biodiversity resources of this country.

Is there life in the deepest parts of the ocean? What sort of creatures can withstand the pressure of immense quantities of transclucent and still water, deep down in the bowels of the vast sea? Do such creatures inhabit all parts of the ocean or do they respond to climate variations? These and other questions are answered in a simple yet knowledgeable manner in this book for children in the plus-12 years age group.

A simple guide on basic environmental issues related to water.

It is said that the wars of this century will be waged over water. We see it happening daily as there is a surge of privatization in the water sector in India. Privatisation is being justified in the name of investments and improved technology for efficient transmission to remote areas. But in doing so are we compromising on a vital resource that once was for free? This book discusses the key issues in the privatization and commercialization of water and possible options to privatization.

This booklet looks at the major players behind the push for an African green revolution – a high-powered mix of Western philanthropic organizations, agribusiness corporations, intergovernmental institutions etc. – and traces the links between them. Simultaneously it argues that the real solution to the long term problems facing African agriculture lies in the hands of the African farmers and not with such externally imposed corporate initiatives.

This handbook provides complete taxonomic account of Indian species of plant mites. It contains full description of the plant mite, its habitat, the host plants, the damage that it can inflict on the plant, as well as control measures. Published in 1985 this book is the first of its kind in India and is published by the Zoological Survey of India.

Venomous and poisonous fishes are found in all seas and oceans but are most abundantly found around islands and coral reefs rather than along the continental shelf. This book describes 147 species of such fish, which if consumed can cause illness or even death (poisonous) or having apparatus i.e spines and stings which can envenomate (venomous). Colour photographs and sketches illustrate this first rate scientific work published by the Zoological Survey of India.

A book about rats. Chapters include, taxonomy and distribution, morphology, ecology biology and behaviour, rodents and disease, rodent control and general aspects. Scientific treatise from the Zoological Survey of India.

The author states that this work is based on his long experience in the study of these animals. Under each genus and species of the fresh water sponges the author describes the species and gives elaborate information on its distribution as well as notes on special features so that this book is a useful guide not only to specialists but even for beginners. This book also reviews all earlier published works on the subject of freshwater sponges. Published by Zoological Survey of India.

A treatise on the diversity, fishery status, trade & conservation of 72 species of shark found in Indian waters. The handbook also contains information on conservation and management measures adopted around the world and fishery regulations in India. The text is illustrated with black and white sketches.

This handbook contains detailed description of sea turtles, their habits and habitats, breeding patterns, natural threats and human impacts and the factors responsible for the extinction of several of the species.

Printed on art paper, with colour photographs on every page this handbook provides comprehensive information on land molluscs or snails. The book discusses their adaptation to terrestrial habitat, arboreal habits, feeding and reproductive patters, diversity and endemicity and the hazards faced by them from man’s activities. A complete book on snails from Zoological Survey of India.

Testudines are turtles, tortoises and terrapins. They have an important role to play in the conservation of nature. This handbook gives comprehensive imformation on all the marine, freshwater and land turtlesand tortoises of India along with colour photographs and line drawings of each species.

We have all heard of red tapism. But Green Tapism? That’s how the authors of this thought-provoking book have titled their review and critique of the Ministry of Emnvironment and Forests Environment Impact Asessment Notification, 2006. The authors who are all environmental activists have admitted that this review was undertaken after acknowledging the widespread concern that the EIA Notification was manipulated to suit certain vested interests , thus putting to enormous risk the ecologicaland livelihood security of Goa.

Crickets are a group of insects with about 325 general and over 2,300 described species from all over the world. A total of 81 species belonging to 39 genera found in Northeast India (i.e Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura)are studied extensively in this work

In this book, Winin Pereira, a former nuclear physicist, lucidly summarises a wealth of information and ideas about traditional sustainable agriculture in India collected and analysed over 25 years from voluminous documentation available. The holistic perspective that is presented is brilliant, inspiring and eminently readable. First reprint.

A total of 742 species of freshwater fishes, under 233 genera and 64 families have been covered in this publication with upto date information on their habits and habitat, description, morphology, breeding patters etc. The book has an added advantage because the coverage f the geographical region is wide. Black and while sketches illustrate the text.

This guide attempts to explain the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 in a simple manner, moving away from legalese. While the focus is the rights and the responsibilities of communities in biodiversity conservation, it also deals with other aspects such as access, control, benefit-sharing and other related legislation on seeds, plants and people’s knowledge.

This brief paper identifies some of the potential socio-economic impacts of GMOs an urges that these be used as a tool to guide decisions on research and development, use and release of GMOs..

This paper examines the key principles of sustainable agriculture and examples of successful adoption of sustainable agriculture practices in developing-country farming communities.

Crickets are a group of insects with about 325 general and over 2,300 described species from all over the world. A total of 81 species belonging to 39 genera found in Northeast India (i.e Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura)are studied extensively in this work

Six booklets title Water & I, Biodiversity & I, Citizenship & I, Energy & I, Climate Change & I and Waste & I, focus on the individual aspect while simultaneously attempting to motivate individuals to take action to mitigate global warming. Information presented in an easy-to-understand manner.

This is a collection of the 19 News Updates and 5 Climate Briefings prepared by the Third World Network for and during the United Nations Climate Change Conference which was held in Bali, Indonesia in December 2007.

Mine No More is a tabloid size booklet, based on CSE’s Sixth Citizen’s Report on the State of India’s Environment - Rich Lands Poor People: Is sustainable mining possible?

This is the sixth Citizens’ Report of the State of India’s Environment. It focuses on mining and the consequences for the people living on land coveted by industry for the mineral wealth that lies beneath. Enamoured by the mining industry’s promises of progress, Indian lawmakers have permitted forests to be razed, waterways polluted, farmlands transformed into wasted tracts and clean air converted to dust bearing winds. As for the people, they are either summarily evicted with little prospect of compensation or rehabilitation or left to live out their lives in situ with all their resources and means of livelihood taken away. A searing indictment of decades of the mining industry’s performance in states across the country and an assessment of this lopsided practice of ‘development’. With photographs, charts, graphs, statistics and plenty of other data painstakingly assembled.

A collection of articles and short essays by well known writers on the environmental paradise that is the Sahyadri, and the wanton destruction that has been let loose on it by recent haphazard development works. The breathtaking beauty of the Western Ghats comes alive through the vivid, candid and detailed photographs that embellish every page.

This book is part of a series of publications on ecological traditions of India. The heritage of Karnataka is replete with different ecological traditions such as groves, trees, tanks, animals and mountains revered as sacred and special by people long ago and even today. The book discusses these in a collection of essays by eminent persons. Topics discussed include Karnataka’s ecological heritage, sacred groves, sacred animals, traditional architecture, wild orchids, priorities for conservation etc.

Essays on food production and consumptions systems that are localized rather than globalised, the value of ecological farming and the contribution of biodiversity to the survival strategies of the poor – these are the subject matter of a compendium of essays in this book. Lots of photographs. Art paper.

The background notes and ideas discussed on the subject of millets at a national consultation result held in June 2008. Includes the Hyderabad Declaration on Millets.

This book relates the experiences and information collected by the NGO during its three year project of observing the honey gathering techniques practiced by the indigenous tribal communities in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. The Nilgiris have massive honey cliffs and bee nesting trees and its preservation as a major honey-producing zone contributes both to the diversity of these forests and also underscores the strong inter linkages between the forests and these tribal communities.

Impact of mining on ecologically sensitive areas across the country. Useful as a historical record.

This book discusses the concept of the Community Seed Bank - a system of community agriculture which encompasses village level facilities aimed at safeguarding traditional varieties and enabling the local people to play a key role in the creation, maintenance and promotion of crop genetic diversity.

A massive treatise from Third World Network, Malaysia, on genetic engineering (GE) and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), in the form of 35 articles by eminent and knowledgeable persons from around the globe. These scientists, environmentalists and activists have written on the challenges for risk identification, assessment and management posed by GE & GMOs that are facing all countries today.

An open letter to Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment and Forests, Govt of India on why India should refuse to sanction the release of Bt Brinjal or any other GM crop in India.

A record of the decade-long work done by the Genetic Resource Energy Ecology and Nutrition Foundation in the agricultural villages of Karnataka State and the valuable insights gained from working with these small and marginalized farmers.

The author’s close association with government agricultural departments at the state and central level for close to 4 decades has given him a ring side view of the problems and constraints related to agricultural development in this country. He is now convinced that intensive agricultural systems are both costly and harmful to society and that only agricultural production which is based on preservation of biological soil, biodiversity, renewable energy and traditional social ethics is sustainable in the long run. The book has 12 chapters - each with 12 to 15 subtitles - ranging from the history of agriculture to present day practices, global initiatives and the challenges lie before us. Each topic is dealt with in the form of brief notes and there is plenty of reference material for those who want to know more on the subject. Published by the All India Biodynamic and Organic Farming Association, Indore.

Well produced and authoritative, with graphs, tables, photographs and sketches to illustrate the text, this book discusses various issues related to climate change so as to acquaint the reader with basic information on the subject. Topics examined include how climate change occurs, who is responsible, its impact on India and south Asia and the global negotiations and mechanisms underway to combat the grim scenario that lies ahead.

This book attempts to explain the little known nuances of honey hunting practised by the tribals in the hill ranges of the Nilgiri mountains.

This book is about a revolution in agriculture envisioned by a research project supported by the United Nations and the World Bank, where technology is part of the solution. The question therefore is which technology and whole technology. The author makes a case for use of the right technology rather than the one-size-fits-all solution presently on offer.

A straight-forward case for a return to organic farming practices.

The booklet examines the community-based food security system in Indonesia.

This book describes various ecologically-sound agricultural techniques that are being practised by the farming community in different parts of the country. These include soil testing, seed treatment, crop rotation, manures, storage, plant growth promoters, biodynamic farming, trenching, benching, farm ponds and a host of other practices. Useful for farmers and also for kitchen gardeners.

The booklet addresses issues related to indigenous tribal people and food sovereignty in the Nilgiris.

This booklet looks at two critical issues facing the farming sector: high food prices and climate change. It suggests that only when the agricultural sector adopts ecologically sound and sustainable agricultural practices will it be able to tide over the crisis.

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was a nationwide consultation programme on environment and development issues held between 2000 and 2004. This report is part of the outputs of NBSAP process.

A fact sheet on why a farmer-first approach to agricultural research is the need of the hour in order to safeguard India’s biodiversity in food crops.

Essays on food production and consumptions systems that are localized rather than globalised, the value of ecological farming and the contribution of biodiversity to the survival strategies of the poor – these are the subject matter of a compendium of essays in this book. Lots of photographs. Art paper.

This paper calls for investment, research and policy support to be channeled towards sustainable agriculture in order to promote mainstream adoption of farming approaches which can reliably feed the world.

The documented results of a 10 –year study on compost use in Ethiopia are encouraging as they show that grain yield has almost doubled even as the use of chemical fertilizers has steadily decreased.

Proceedings of a national consultation held in December 2007.

This booklet considers the environmental impact of genetically modified crops and links this to the concept of biodiversity and ecosystem services, which should be the basis of environmental risk /impact assessment.