Book Review: Walking with the Comrades by Arundhati Roy

This work by Arundhati Roy draws serious attention on the ongoing rebel movement in India. Maoist guerillas are waging war against the brutal and suppressive Indian government which is adamant on furthering the interests of multi-million dollar corporations.

Roy writes about the time she spent with the guerillas on the frontline fighting the government soldiers. She writes briefly about the history of the Naxalites, different personalities of the movement, her life in the forests with the rebels, role of women, makeshift schools for children, and about poverty and malnutrition among the guerillas. Roy believes that the government wants more minerals, clearing of forest lands to pave the way for mining companies, dams and large corporations. She leaves the reader with an important question: whether global capitalism would also engulf this part of the world?

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Book Review: Imperial Gazetteer Provincial Series Kashmir and Jammu by Sir Walter Lawrence

The articles in this volume are written by Sir Walter Lawrence, Bart., G.C.I.E. Physical environment, history, archaeology, population, agriculture, forests, minerals, arts, commerce, political relations, administration, education and means of communication are discussed in great detail with relevant statistical data.

Back then covering long distances was a troublesome task for any traveller. The distance from Gilgit to Srinagar was 228 miles, Srinagar to Leh was 243 miles, and from Leh to Yarkand was 482 miles.

In this book languages, population and castes of Kashmir and Jammu have been briefly discussed. Dogras, Gujars, Gaddis,Pathans, Galwan and Dum presence is mentioned.  Dogra is defined as a territorial name. In the Hunza -Nagar campaign of 1891 these Dogra Rajputs rendered their services for the Kashmir government.

In Kashmir cherry is known as gilas. Other produce includes buck wheat, rice and tobacco. The minerals found are gypsum, limestone and gold. Kashmiri arts and embroidery are also appreciated and its export to the west is encouraged. Srinagar which means “Godess of God” has been described in significant detail.

In addition to that topics relating to women of Ladakh, history of Baltistan, end of polyandry among Baltis, importance of cow in Astore and mountain passes in Kashmir territory have also been taken into account.

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Book Review: Nepal's Biodiversity and Protected Areas

The 1997 protected areas management workshop -Department of national parks and wildlife conservation with assistance of the UNDP

This book consisting of 73 pages is an outcome of workshop held in 1997 for the betterment in management of protected areas in Nepal. Accounts of various national parks in Nepal have been mentioned. 

Endangered mammals, reptiles, birds and their respective habitats have also been included in this book. The threats to these species in case of each national park have been brought to notice. Use of alternate energy solutions in these protected areas has been focused upon. The problems such as poaching of wild life are common to most of the areas. 

Furthermore solutions in ensuring overall management of parks has been stressed upon which would surely help in sustainable management of the protected sanctuaries. Especially the role of communities in implementing these nature protection programs will play a critical role in the coming future.

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Book Review: State of the World 1993 by Lester Rubdown

This volume of state of the world reflects upon the critical relationship between environment and business around the world. Various themes have been gone through in this book, such as scarcity of water, energy in developing countries, gender gap in development, trade and environment and the indigenous people.

Every theme has been elaborated with examples of various regions, ranging from Americas to Asia. Problems such as air pollution, soil erosion and floods caused by deforestation, have been indicated as the threats to the sustainable economy .

Environmental audit and management have been considered as the key towards creating a balance between trade and environment. Towards the concluding pages of the book, government’s role in forming public policy and including the component of environment in it has been stressed upon.The role of various stake holders including governmental and non- governmental organizations should be encouraged and supported. Throughout the book there has been an effort by the author to stress emphasis on the need for sustainable development all over the world, especially in the third world where much of the industrialization is still to be done.

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Book Review: Changing Perspectives on Forest Policy by Javed Ahmed,Fawad Mahmood

This book gives an overview of the state of forestry and forest policies in Pakistan. At relevant places examples of successful completion of projects are mentioned. It gives a view of the government and other stakeholders involved in the forestry activities in Pakistan. Stress has been given on the involvement of mafia and other elements that influence forest policies and activities. Environmental, social and economic benefits could be taken from the forests. It mentions the need for sustainable forest management plan, in order to avoid environmental degradation. Key figures and alarming indicators have been stated for the identification of gaps between the policy makers and the community involved in the process.

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Book Review: World Wide Fund - Environmental Guide Book

While going through this 64 page handbook, I noticed that it is a very basic guide book, featuring environment related topics. The reader may be any one, starting from a school going child to a grown up of any age. 

Basically the book has been divided into 5 themes. Environmental problems have been highlighted and explained with examples, with special focus to Pakistan. 

The repercussion of these environmental problems on our surroundings is an eye opener for the common man. The “I can do it” attitude has been greatly appreciated in this regard. 

The importance of our environment has been stressed upon, meaning that a threat to our environment means a threat to the human race.

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