Energy, environment and sustainable development in the Himalayas / edited by Pradeep Monga and P. Venkata Ramana

It is an established fact that the fragile eco systems of the Himalayan region are gradually crumbling due to indiscriminate exploitation; not only severely affecting the economic development but also endanger ing the ecological balance of the youngest mountain range in the world. Today, it has become one of the major challenges to arrest this process of degradation and ensure a sustainable development of the Himalayan region, which sustains the economy of North India through its peren nial river system and precious forest wealth. This book is essentially the proceedings of the National Workshop on 'Energy and Environment Issues in Mountain Develop ment' held on 24-25 September 1991 in Shimla, jointly organized by TERI (Tata Energy Research Institute) and HIMURJA (Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency). It has contributions from research ers, academicians, administrators, and other government officials dealing with various aspects of the highly topical subject of energy and environment and their role in the sustainable development of the Himalayan region.

This book assumes significance in the context of the 'Himalayan dilemma', as ex perts from different fields came together and contributed to the debate on the subject from different angles on topics ranging from studies of energy consumption patterns in different Himalayan states and their impact on the environment, to technological options to solve the energy problems, in cluding renewable energy sources. Some of the efforts by the government have also been highlighted. Thus, the book attempts to give a comprehensive view of the energy and environment related problems of the Himalayan region and sets an agenda for action for their solution.