This volume discusses a broad range of human welfare problems associated with and stemming from social issues, natural resource deficiencies, environmental hazards, vulnerability to climate change, and sustainability challenges. The chapters form a framework centered around the concept of social morphology, i.e. the role of humans in shaping society, and associated human-nature interactions which inform the ability to achieve sustainable welfare and well-being. The book is divided in six sections. Section I contains the introductory chapters where the book explores shifting interfaces between environment, society, and sustainability outcomes. Section II discusses contemporary issues of social welfare, and covers sustainable in geo-heritage and ecotourism. Section III addresses the roots of various social conflicts and inequalities in relation to overpopulation, poverty, illiteracy, employment concerns, and human migration. Section IV highlights social security and areas of social deprivation, including urban affordability, gender equality, and women’s health. Section V covers social issues resulting from natural hazards and disasters. Section VI concludes the book with a discussion of the way forward for social sustainability. The book will be of interest to students, researchers, policy makers, environmentalists, NGOs, and social scientists.
Author(s): Mohammad Izhar Hassa, Shouraseni Sen Roy, Uday Chatterjee, Samik Chakraborty, Uttara Singh
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 744
City: Cham
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Disclaimer
Contents
Contributors
About the Editors
Part I: Introduction
Chapter 1: Prehistory, History and Contemporary: Evaluation of the Idea of Sustainability in Light of Human–Nature Interphase
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Always in Harmony? From Pleistocene Overkill to the Destruction of Harappan Civilization, a Warning for Future
1.3 Relationship with Nature in Ancient India
1.4 Runway Cataclysm: Industrial Revolution and European Colonialism Triggering Snowballing Climate Change
1.5 Economic and Developmental Boom Post-1950s and Population Explosion: An Unstoppable March Towards Abbeys?
1.6 Concluding Remark: Rays of Hope?
References
Chapter 2: Environment, Society and Sustainability: The Transdisciplinary Exigency for a Desirable Anthropocene
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Ecology Versus Society: The Anthropo-Centric Turn During the ‘Modern’ Age
2.3 Dehegemonizing Knowledge by Co-Producing it: The Transdisciplinary Exigency
2.4 Empirical Research Lessons: Lower Ganga Bengal
2.4.1 The Adi Ganga–Tolly’s Canal Research
2.4.2 Explorations on the East Kolkata Wetlands
2.4.3 Knowledge Co-Production and Stakeholder Engagement in the Indian Sundarbans
2.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Forest Management and Its Impact on Tribal Livelihood: An Imperial Political Perspective in Colonial Jangalmahal in West Bengal
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Objective
3.3 Study Area
3.4 Materials and Methodology
3.5 Result and Discussion
3.5.1 Forest Resources and Its Importance in Tribal Livelihood
3.5.2 Forest Ecology and Forest Management
3.6 Conclusion
Appendix
References
Chapter 4: Social Perspective: Leadership in Changing Society
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Social Change
4.1.2 Social Cognition
4.1.3 Social Exchange
4.1.4 Leaders
4.2 The Rationale of the Study
4.3 Materials and Methods
4.4 Results and Discussion
4.5 Conclusions
References
Part II: The Contemporary Issues of Social Welfare
Chapter 5: The Schisms Between Policies and Praxes: Mapping the Social Welfare Scenario with Empirical Evidences from Dooars, North Bengal
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Review of Literature
5.3 The Study Area
5.4 Materials and Methodology
5.5 Result and Discussion
5.5.1 Ethnographic Explorations from the Field
5.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 6: Ensuring Elderly and Juvenile Security: Creation of Safe Spaces Through Community Police Approach in Kolkata
6.1 Introduction: Contextualizing Necessity of Safe Spaces
6.1.1 Elderly and Juvenile Vulnerability
6.1.2 Necessity for Safe Spaces
6.2 Literature Review, Research Gaps and Objectives
6.2.1 Literature Review
6.2.2 Research Gap
6.2.3 Objectives
6.3 Materials and Methods
6.3.1 Crime-Scape of the Elderly
6.3.2 Vulnerability Assessment
6.3.2.1 Vulnerability Assessment of the Elderly
6.3.2.2 Crime-Scape and Vulnerability Assessment of the Juveniles
6.3.3 Provisions for Urban Safe Spaces
6.3.3.1 Project Pronam
6.3.3.2 Project Nabadisha
6.3.3.3 Project Sukanya
6.4 Results and Discussion
6.4.1 Critical Appraisal of Vulnerable Spaces and Provisions for Safe Spaces for Elderly
6.4.2 Critical Evaluation of Vulnerable Spaces and Provisions for Safe Spaces for Children
6.4.3 A Way Forward Through Supplementary Non-Conventional Spatial Designs
6.4.3.1 Creation of Defensible Spaces for Elderly
6.4.3.2 Creation of Child-Friendly Neighbourhoods
6.5 Major Findings
6.6 Concluding Remarks
References
Chapter 7: Geostatistical Analysis of Environmental Impact on Mental Health of Constructional Workers: A Case Study of Chennai City
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Study Area
7.3 Rationale of the Study
7.4 Materials and Methods
7.5 Result and Discussion
7.6 Limitation of the Study
7.7 Recommendation
7.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 8: Issues Evolving Around Maternal Health Care in West Bengal
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Literature Review
8.3 Objectives
8.4 Method and Methodology
8.4.1 Data Source
8.4.2 Statistical Analysis
8.4.3 Justification for the Section of the Indicators
8.4.3.1 One-Way ANOVA Analysis
8.4.3.2 Correlation Analysis
8.5 Software
8.6 Study Area
8.7 Results and Discussions
8.7.1 Overall Scenario
8.7.2 Zone-Wise Analysis
8.7.2.1 AI
8.7.2.2 MCI
8.7.2.3 DCI
8.7.2.4 PNCI
8.7.2.5 MHI
8.7.3 Location of Health Facilities
8.8 Conclusion
References
Part III: Social Conflicts and Inequalities: The Roots of Asymmetry
Chapter 9: Exploration of Regional Inequalities in Socio-Economic Development: A Case of Madhya Pradesh, India
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Research Background
9.2.1 Conceptual Understanding of Regional Disparities
9.2.2 Methods to Measure Socio-Economic Development
9.2.3 Variable and Indicator List That Is Used to Measure the Level of Development
9.3 Materials and Methods
9.3.1 The Study Area
9.3.2 Methodology
9.3.2.1 Proposed Method to Measure Socio-Economic Level of Development
9.3.2.2 Composite Index Construction Methodology
9.4 Results
9.4.1 Data Sources
9.4.2 PCA Suitability Check
9.4.3 PCA: Multivariate Data
9.4.4 Checking for Suitability of PCA and Determining the Number of Principal Components
9.4.5 Weighting the Components and Construct Composite Index
9.5 Interpretation and Analysis
9.6 Recommendations
9.6.1 Planning Recommendations
9.6.1.1 Social Development
9.6.1.2 Economic Development
9.6.1.3 Agricultural Development
9.6.1.4 Infrastructural Development
9.7 Conclusion
References
Chapter 10: Study on Urban Growth in Bardhaman Municipality, Purba Bardhaman District, West Bengal: A Metric-Based Analysis
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Objectives
10.3 The Study Area
10.3.1 Rationale for Selecting Bardhaman Town as a Study Area
10.4 Materials and Method
10.4.1 Image Classification
10.4.2 Urban Expansion Metrics
10.4.2.1 Built-up Area Intensity
10.4.2.2 Urbanization Intensity
10.4.2.3 Urban Expansion Intensity Index
10.4.2.4 Modified Landscape Expansion Index (LEI)
10.4.3 Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA)
10.5 Results and Discussions
10.6 Application of Urban Metric Techniques
10.7 Application of Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA)
10.8 Summary
10.9 Conclusion
References
Chapter 11: An Assessment of Intra-Regional Infrastructural Inequality of Ranibandh Block, Bankura, West Bengal, India
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Study Area
11.3 Materials and Methods
11.3.1 Indicators
11.3.2 Database
11.3.3 Methodologies
11.4 Results and Discussion
11.4.1 Population Density Zones
11.4.2 Educational Infrastructure
11.4.3 Medical Infrastructure
11.4.4 Communication and Transport Infrastructure
11.4.5 Other Infrastructures
11.5 Limitation of the Study
11.6 Conclusions
References
Part IV: Social Security, Deprivations and Social Indifferences
Chapter 12: Education in a Psychosocially Constrained Environment: Insurgency and Banditry Constraints in Nigeria
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Rationale of the Study
12.3 Materials and Methodology
12.4 Theoretical Framework
12.5 Results and Discussion
12.5.1 The Impacts of Boko Haram Insurgency and Banditry on Education in Nigeria
12.5.2 The Psychosocial Impacts of Activities of Boko Haram Insurgents and Bandits on Learners in Nigeria
12.5.3 Controlling Insurgency and Banditry in Nigeria: The Social Control Approach
12.5.3.1 Attachment
12.5.3.2 Commitment
12.5.3.3 Involvement
12.5.3.4 Belief
12.5.3.5 Future Directions for Education in a Psychosocially Constrained Environment in Nigeria
12.6 Limitations of the Study
12.7 Recommendations
12.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 13: Menstrual Hygiene Management During Times of Complex Humanitarian Crisis: Listening to the Voices of Rural Adolescent Girls of Assam
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Menstrual Hygiene Challenges During Natural Disaster
13.3 Material and Methods
13.3.1 Overview
13.3.2 Study Design and Settings
13.3.3 Study Population
13.3.4 Data Collection Tool
13.3.5 Study Area
13.4 Limitations
13.5 Results and Discussion
13.6 Menstrual Health Management in Context of Humanitarian Emergency Settings
13.7 Major Findings
13.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 14: Female Education and Health Outcomes: A Micro Level Study of Aligarh District (U.P.)
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Objectives
14.3 Hypothesis
14.4 Study Area
14.5 Database and Methodology
14.6 Results and Discussion
14.7 Block-Wise Female Education
14.8 Spatial Pattern and Distribution of Female Education
14.9 Overall Female Educational Status
14.10 Block-Wise Health Status
14.11 Morbidity Rate
14.11.1 Acute Illnesses
14.11.2 Chronic Illnesses
14.11.3 Overall Morbidity Rate
14.12 Mortality Rate
14.12.1 Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)
14.12.2 Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)
14.12.3 Mortality Rate Due to Diseases
14.12.4 Overall Mortality Rate
14.12.5 Body Mass Index
14.12.6 Health Status
14.12.6.1 Association Between Female Educational Status and Health
Female Education Status Vis-à-Vis Acute Illness
Female Education Status Vis-à-Vis Chronic Illness
Female Education Status Vis-à-Vis Morbidity Rate
Female Educational Status Vis-à-Vis Infant Mortality Rate
Female Educational Status Vis-à-Vis Maternal Mortality Rate
Female Educational Status Vis-à-Vis Mortality Due to Diseases
Female Educational Status vis-à-vis Total Mortality Rate
Female Educational Status Vis-à-Vis Underweight Sample Population
Female Educational Status Vis-à-Vis Overall Health Status
14.12.6.2 Correlation Between Indicators of Educational Status and Health
Test of Simple Linear Correlation Between Female Educational Status and Health Status of Aligarh District (2019–2020)
14.12.6.3 Hypothesis
14.13 Major Findings
14.14 Conclusion
References
Chapter 15: An Exploration of the Sociocultural Adaptation Process among the Chinese Community of Kolkata
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Concepts on Sociocultural Adaptation
15.2.1 Sociocultural Adaptation: A Conceptual Framework
15.2.2 Measurement of Sociocultural Adaptation
15.3 Objectives
15.4 Study Area
15.5 Methods
15.5.1 Sample
15.5.2 Procedure
15.6 Data Analysis and Results
15.6.1 Result of the Reliability Test
15.6.2 Reliability Statistics of the 28 Items
15.6.3 Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Sociocultural Adaptation of the Chinese Community of Kolkata
15.6.4 Analysis of Variance
15.7 Discussion
15.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 16: Silent Struggle of the Informal Workers: Everyday Lived Experiences, Challenges and Negotiation of the Women Street Vendors in Thimphu City, Bhutan
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Urban Informal Economy and Street Vending
16.3 Materials and Methods
16.4 Finding and Discussion
16.4.1 Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents
16.4.2 Livelihood and Challenges of the Women Street Vendors
16.4.2.1 Mode of Business Operation and Sales
16.4.2.2 Climatic and Weather Condition
16.4.2.3 Competition and Conflict
16.4.2.4 State Authority
16.4.2.5 Social Stigma and Lack of Family Support
16.4.2.6 Other Challenges
16.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 17: Historical Perspectives on Changing Status of Women’s Development and Empowerment in India
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Objectives
17.3 Rationale of the Study
17.4 Methods and Materials
17.5 Discussion
17.5.1 Women in the Ancient World
17.5.2 Women in the Medieval World
17.5.3 Women in the Modern Age
17.5.4 Status of Women in Modern India
17.5.5 Women’s Role and Participation in Pre- and Post Independence
17.5.6 Women’s Role During the Independence Movement
17.5.7 Women’s Struggle During Partition
17.5.8 Women’s Role in Politics
17.5.9 Longer Fights for Economic Opportunities and Resource Distribution
17.5.10 Position in Contemporary Society
17.5.11 Limitations of the Study
17.5.12 Recommendations
17.5.13 Conclusion
References
Part V: Hazards, Disasters and Social Behaviors
Chapter 18: Living on the Margins of COVID-19: The Impact on Informal Livelihoods in Masvingo, Zimbabwe
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Rationale of the Study
18.3 Materials and Methods
18.4 Results and Discussion
18.4.1 Informal Economic Activities
18.4.2 Impact on Informal Markets
18.4.3 Specific Impact on Transborder Trading
18.4.4 Impacts on Savings, Food, and Income Security
18.4.5 Intersecting Vulnerabilities: Compounding Effects
18.4.6 Coping Mechanisms and Strategies
18.5 Limitations of the Study
18.6 Recommendations
18.7 Conclusions
References
Chapter 19: Traditional Ecological Knowledge Practices in Climate Change Contexts: A Case of Masasi District, Tanzania
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Materials and Methods
19.3 Results and Discussion
19.3.1 Traditional Ecological Knowledge Practices Used in Agriculture
19.3.1.1 Mulching (Ichaira)
19.3.1.2 Mwenye and Rainmaking Practices
19.3.1.3 Dry Season Foods for Household Food Security
19.3.1.4 Traditional Weather Prediction Practices
19.3.1.5 Appearance of Pangolin (Kakakuona)
19.3.1.6 Sighting of Birds
19.3.1.7 Changes in the Appearance of Flora
19.4 Conclusions
References
Chapter 20: The Consequences of Population Growth on Climate Change: A Case of Urbanization Effects vis-à-vis Air Pollutants in Bengaluru, India
20.1 Introduction
20.1.1 Impacts of Climate Change
20.2 Rationale of the Study
20.2.1 Effect of Population and Vehicular Growth on Climate Change
20.2.2 Global Scenario
20.2.3 Indian Scenario
20.3 Impact of Urbanization on Climate Change: The Case of Bengaluru, India
20.3.1 Bengaluru: The City of the Future
20.3.2 Urbanization Trends and Population Growth
20.3.3 Vehicular Growth and Climate Change
20.4 Conclusion: Way Forward to Meet the Urbanization Challenge
References
Chapter 21: Anthropogenic Activities in Kuttanad Wetland of Alappuzha and Vulnerability to Floods
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Study Area
21.2.1 Pulinkunnu Panchayat: Micro Level Study
21.3 History of Land Reclamation
21.3.1 The First Phase of Land Reclamation
21.3.2 The Second Phase of Land Reclamation (1888–1902)
21.3.3 The Third Phase of Kayal Reclamation (1912–1945)
21.4 Reasons for Kayal Reclamation
21.5 Present Status of the Polders
21.6 Present Management
21.7 Present Problems
21.8 Floods in Kuttanad
21.9 Flood and Vulnerability
21.10 Concept of Vulnerability
21.11 Materials and Method for Measuring the Vulnerability of the Farm Households in Pulinkunnu Panchayat
21.11.1 Calculation of Flood Vulnerability Index
21.12 Results and Discussion
21.12.1 Assessment of the Different Dimensions of Vulnerability
21.12.1.1 Environmental Dimension
21.12.1.2 Physical Dimension
21.12.1.3 Social Dimension
21.12.1.4 Economic Dimension
21.13 Vulnerability Score as per Parameter/Dimension
21.14 Conclusion
References
Part VI: Social Sustainability: The Panacea
Chapter 22: Social Involvement in Joint Forest Management Programme in Fringe Villages of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve Area, West Bengal, India
22.1 Introduction
22.1.1 Objectives
22.1.2 Study Area
22.2 Materials and Methods
22.3 Previous Forest Management History of Sundarban
22.3.1 Before the Formulation of the Forest Act of 1855 by the British Government
22.3.2 After the Formulation of the Forest Act of 1855 by the British Government
22.4 Results and Discussion
22.4.1 Present Scenario of JFMCs in Fringe Villages of STR
22.4.2 Works of JFMCs
22.4.2.1 Mangrove Plantation
22.4.2.2 Alternative Sources of Income under JFMCs
22.4.3 The Scenario of Women Participation in JFMCs in STR
22.4.3.1 Involvement of Women in Self-Help Groups
22.4.4 Relation of JFMCs with Female Literacy and Working Female Population
22.4.5 Perception of Women Regarding the Management of Sundarban Forest
22.4.5.1 Respondents Support Alternative Sources
22.4.5.2 Perception Related to Plantation
22.4.5.3 Women’s Perception about the Engagement of Local People in Forest-Related Works and More Involvement of Forest Officials
22.4.5.4 Rank of Eco-Tourism
22.4.5.5 Respondents Views about the Awareness Generation and Educational Development among Local People
22.4.6 The Role of NGO
22.5 Conclusion and Recommendations
References
Chapter 23: Revitalised Sustainable Agriculture through Ecosystem Management and Policy Interventions: Evidences from India
23.1 Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture
23.1.1 Indian Agriculture: A Conflict on Sustainability
23.2 Major Indications and Implications Towards Sustainability
23.3 Ecology and Socio-Economic Involved in Sustainable Agriculture
23.4 India’s Regulatory Landscape Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
23.4.1 Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP)
23.4.2 Soil Health Management Systems in India
23.4.3 On-Farm Water Management
23.4.4 Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Monitoring, Modeling and Networking (CCSAMMN)
23.5 Sustainable Agricultural Practices
23.6 Success Stories of Indian Farmers Who Practise SAPS
23.6.1 Cotton Cultivation
23.6.2 Detailed Rejuvenation of Indigenous Agricultural Practices
23.6.3 Organic Food: A Redefinition for the Agricultural Revolution
23.6.4 Jayesh’s Peanut Harvest Was Preserved through Sustainable Agricultural Methods
23.6.5 Narasimhulu and his Exploration Towards Sustainable Agriculture
23.6.6 Nurturing Sustainability through Pokkali Farming
23.6.7 Eco-Friendly Rice Farming Methods
23.7 Conclusion
References
Chapter 24: Community Participation in Healthcare in Rural Geographies of the Global South
24.1 Introduction
24.2 Rationale of the Study
24.3 Material and Methods
24.3.1 Study Area
24.3.2 Performance Index of Primary Healthcare System in the Promotion of Community Competence
24.4 Results
24.5 Performance Index of Primary Healthcare System in Community Competence
24.6 Discussion
24.7 Non-Institutional Measures of Community Participation in the Study Area
24.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 25: Sustainability to the Development of the Agrarian Economies of Canning Subdivision, Sundarbans, West Bengal, India: A Geographical Appraisal
25.1 Introduction
25.2 Study Area
25.3 Literature Review
25.4 Statement of the Problem
25.5 Hypotheses
25.6 Objective of the Study
25.7 Methodology and Data Acquisition
25.8 Geographical Setup of the Study Area
25.9 Demographic Structure
25.10 Developmental History
25.11 Facets of Development
25.12 Discussions on Agrarian Economy
25.13 Major Findings
25.14 Recommendations
25.15 Results and Conclusions
References
Chapter 26: Livelihood Strategy and Sustainability Aspects in Industrialization as a Source of Employment in Rural Areas
26.1 Introduction
26.2 History and Key Concepts
26.3 Conceptual Framework
26.3.1 Local Governance
26.3.2 Wealth
26.3.3 Food Security
26.4 Comparison to Earlier Centuries
26.5 Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development
26.6 The Vision for Sustainable Development and Industrialization
26.6.1 Environmental Sustainability
26.6.2 Economic Sustainability
26.6.3 Social Sustainability
26.7 Managing of Environmental Protection and Communications Solutions
26.8 Industrialization and Employment
26.8.1 Industrial Employment Trends
26.8.2 Developing Countries and Economies in Transition
26.9 Significance of Rural Industrialization
26.10 Forces behind the Processes
26.11 Effects of Globalization on Rural Industrialization
26.12 Challenges in Rural Industrialization
26.12.1 Technological Challenges
26.12.2 Financial Challenges
26.12.3 Policy Challenges
26.13 Industrialization, Economic Growth, Poverty and Inequality: Country Examples
26.13.1 Taiwan Province of China
26.14 New Industrial Policies and Provincial Improvement Initiatives
26.15 Limitations
26.16 Conclusion
26.17 Further Research
References
Chapter 27: An Invisible Race from Exclusiveness to Inclusiveness of Queer Employees at Workplace
27.1 Introduction
27.2 Literature Review
27.2.1 Queer Theory
27.2.2 Influence of Queer Theory
27.2.3 People’s Attitude Towards Transgender
27.3 Methodology
27.4 Discussion
27.4.1 Challenges in Trans Inclusive Policy Implementation
27.4.2 Inclusivity Does Not Stop at Hiring
27.4.3 Making Workplace Gender Inclusive
27.5 Limitations
27.6 Recommendations
27.6.1 LGBT-Friendly Policies at the Workplace
27.7 Conclusion
References
Chapter 28: Assessing the Geo-Ecotourism Potentiality of West Bengal with Special Reference to its Coastal Region Using Geospatial Technology
28.1 Introduction
28.1.1 Study Area
28.1.2 Objectives
28.1.3 Rationale of the Study in the Light of Previous Literatures
28.2 Materials and Methods
28.2.1 Methodology
28.2.2 Data Used
28.2.3 Data Processing
28.2.3.1 Software Used
28.2.3.2 Application of Geospatial and AHP Methods
28.2.3.3 Strategic Development of Tourism by the Appliance of Geospatial Techniques
28.3 Results
28.3.1 Tourism in West Bengal
28.3.1.1 Key Tourist Destinations in West Bengal
28.3.1.2 Trend of Tourist Arrival in West Bengal
28.3.1.3 Impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism Sector of West Bengal
28.3.2 Geo-Ecotourism Zones of West Bengal
28.3.3 Potential Site Suitability of Geo-Ecotourism in the Coastal Region of West Bengal
28.3.3.1 Tourism in Coastal Beaches
28.3.3.2 Description of Major Beaches
28.3.3.3 Site Suitability Analysis by AHP Model
28.3.3.4 SWOC Analysis
28.4 Discussion
28.5 Conclusion
References
Index
