This book explores the ways in which conservation of biodiversity can coexist with human actions and interests through a series of eight essays. These are tied together by an analytical introduction by the editors.
It seeks to supplement the dominant discourse of conservation in India, which has traditionally depended on fencing off fragments of habitats and guarding them against human encroachment. However, formally designated Protected Areas occupy a very small proportion of territory and are therefore limited in value. Nature and natural processes transcend human boundaries and cannot be contained within the borders of nature reserves.
This eclectic collection of essays explores inclusive conservation approaches in a spectrum of landscapes, from lake restoration in a metropolis to the issue of overfishing on the coastline.
In the cases studied here, conservation action takes the producers' or residents' own imperatives into account along with wider ecological challenges. This method of conservation forges links with a range of actors: cultivators, herders, fishers and plantation owners, in addition to the government, the middle class and literati.
Table of Contents
Preface and Acknowledgements
List of Contributors
List of Tables and Boxes
Nature Without Borders: An Introduction
Mahesh Rangarajan, M D Madhusudan and Ghazala Shahabuddin
Trawling The Shorelines: The Ecology and Economics of Near-Shore Fisheries
Aaron Lobo and Rohan Arthur
Restoring The Ganga For Its Fauna and Fisheries
Nachiket Kelkar and Jagdish Krishnaswamy
Sarus Cranes, Cultivators and Conservation
Ks Gopi Sundar
Citizen Action and Lake Restoration In Bengaluru
Harini Nagendra, Ramesh Sivaraman and S Subramanya
Fight For A Forest: The Delhi Ridge
Ravi Agarwal
Black Sheep and Grey Wolves: Pastoralism In The Deccan
Nitya Sambamurti Ghotge and Sagari Ramdas
Conservation Without Fences: Project Snow Leopard
Yash Veer Bhatnagar and Charudutt Mishra
Wildlife Conservation In Landscapes Fragmented By Plantation Crops
