Environment and natural resources / edited by V. P. Agrawal and S.V.S. Rana

The present pattern of exploitation of the world's resources and the resulting environmental problems have started depriving us from the precious gifts of Nature, Vital resources of the planet are fast approaching exhaustion. Great oceans that manufacture most of the world's oxygen, regulate weather cycle and breed protein rich aquatic creatures for human food are falling sick. The green forests that once covered whole continents have become a fabled glory now. To feed the world's increasing population, productive capacity of the soil is being over-taxed through massive application of fertilizers, pesticides & other chemicals, Power resources are near exhaustion and earth is being forced to disgorge ever increasing quantities of other non-renewable resources.

In Third World" countries, there is urgent need of improving the quality of life by eliminating poverty, reducing the growth of population and protection of its resources. Problems concerned with India specially those that need urgent attention have been discussed by respective experts and described in this book. Importance of the conservation and manage ment of natural resources like water, forest and power have been discussed together with vital areas like development vs environment & pesticides vs prosperity. The present text also covers wide subjects ranging from threatened habitats to Antarctica and ecoplaning to health hazards. A thorough compilation of available data not only describes the advances made by Science & Technology but impresses how a proper planning for utilization and management of natural resources can meet the needs of future generations.