Introduction

The focus of this book is to emphasise that the study of environment is not always synonymous with that of hazards, disasters and crisis. There are human aspects of the study of environment as well. If a hazard is to be studied, it has to be understood in terms of human being. Geographers have been studying such human environment relationships. With the fast changing world, such relationships are being reevaluated. New issues are emerging every day. These factors are becoming interrelated and hence the frontiers are being pushed beyond the traditional frontiers of the study of environment in geography.

Scope of the Book

Hence this volume. The human-environment relationships have been studied in different ways in this book. Attempts have been made to analyse the emerging issues, such as environment vs. development, ecological balance, famines and relief, shifting cultivation and deforestation, rural environment, socio-ecological adaptation, pollution, floods, water quality and the information system.

Intended Audience

This book will not only be useful to the geographers but also for environmentalists, environmental activists, ecologists, planners and persons interested in socio-ecological studies.