Homeless blues

ECOLOGICAL and environmental changes are a common cause of migration. These changes can be sudden and unpredictable like earthquakes, or gradual like desertification or land degradation. Environment degradation due to deforestation, soil erosion and land scarcity is often the root of refugee-producing conflicts. The Zapatista rebellion in Mexico and the subsequent displacement of 35,000 people has been attributed to the growing discontent among farmers due to environmental changes.

Blueprint of life

WITH the 21st century being projected as the biotech century, proponents and opponents have often been engaged in a war of words on various issues -- scientific, environmental, genetic, sociological or ethical. While the Industrial Revolution is being criticised with hindsight, the possible effects of the rampant use of biotechnology are being discussed even before the revolution has actually begun.

Rights over forests

traditionally, forests have been viewed as public goods, subjected to the tragedy of commons, as incentives to a "free ride" are enormous. However, Hardin's idea that there are only two sustainable policies either the commons should be privatised or it should be brought under the control of the government is no more the popular perception.

Notch in the mountains

PERHAPS no other geographical location attracts researchers, non-governmental organisations and social workers like the Indian Himalaya does. Yet, despite all the effort and finances that have gone towards sustainable development of the Himalaya, gaps exist. The information available is skewed with rampant duplication on one hand and blissful ignorance on the other. One glaring example is the state of knowledge available on Himalayan biodiversity.

Economy vs ecology

AT a time when developing nations are getting lured into global economy issues, that translate into increased consumerism promoted by the developed world, the 1998 annual state of the earth report by the Worldwatch Institute, usa, comes as a timely warning.

Beyond progress

compulsory acquisition of land by public and private sector companies often displaces people, forcing them to give up their homes, assets, means of livelihood and even vocation. More often than not, the affected families are driven towards poverty a state of relegation, loss of livelihood and destitution.

The polluting reaper

the book explains how farming, in its modern avatar, has acquired the dubious distinction of becoming a major polluter from its benign position of an activity in harmony with nature. The book describes how this scenario has changed.

Forest guardians

forests are central to the people of Mizoram and are therefore an important determinant of the quality of their life. The book surveys the environmental history and the complex relation between the people and nature in Mizoram through the colonial, post-independence and the present times.

Smoky flashback

the book drives home the point that pollution prevention is more economical than pollution control. Japan attained economic success through modernisation and rapid industrialisation. But this also resulted in large-scale pollution.

Empowering communities

most Non-governmental organisations ( ngo s) are born out of a sense of dissatisfaction and idealism. This dissatisfaction arises due to the inadequate working of official bodies, dissatisfaction with the means and the end. It goes without saying that ngo s catalyse social equity and mass empowerment. This is because, unlike government officials, ngo s work with the people.