Title: Nought Without Cause
(Almost everyones’ guide to deforestation and forest degradation in the era of neoliberal globalization).
Compiled by: Milind Wani
Price: Rs.100/-
Around 1991, in its attempt towards assimilation with the global economy and to reap the benefits of globalization, India decided to liberalize its economic policy through market reforms. Hitherto existing license raj was significantly reduced, private enterprise was encouraged, and government investment in public sector enterprise were sought to be curtailed with an eventual goal of disinvestment. In 1995, India became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Trade barriers were lifted and foreign direct investment (FDI) was sought and became the norm.
Unfortunately the brunt of the pressure of globalization is today being experienced by natural systems and indigenous or other traditional communities that are located in geographically remote areas. Natural resource systems are being remorselessly exploited for raw material and energy sources. These are then used to fuel the growth of a carbon-based (fossil fuel) industrial economy which is based on the principles of free market competition (amongst multiple producers of similar goods (for e.g. luxury cars, cosmetics etc.) and services (for e.g. tourism, hospitality)) without due consideration to the actual necessity of such outputs or the potential ill effects (for e.g. climate change) that they may have on the world at large. As a market based economy assumes potentially infinite consumers (6 billion - the world over, on last count!!), it also needs sources of raw material and energy that are infinitely inexhaustible. However, there is a limit to how much can be extracted from nature without potentially threatening the balance of the ecosystem.
This book seeks to understand the link between neoliberal globalization and deforestation. It tries to engage with the issue of deforestation at two levels, theoretical & empirical. It sometimes happens that grass-root activists lack or do not get opportunities for studying theoretical issues. On the other hand, scholars who have a firm grasp over theory may not have easy access to concrete examples proving their theoretical positions. This book tries to bridge this gap. It provides the scholar reader with a set of case-studies about the ground situations that arise as a result of adopting a certain model of economic development. On the other hand, the thematic papers in this volume provide the activist with a theoretical framework within which to understand the grass-root situation that she grapples with. The thematic papers in this volume attempt to look at the theory, issues and impacts of neoliberal globalization through philosophical, legal & socio-economic lenses. Out of the five thematic papers in this volume, one deals with the extremely problematic nature of the reigning philosophy & economics of neoliberal globalization, whereas the subject matter of the other is the problematic (to ecological sustainability ) nature of the laws that get drafted (& diluted!) as an inevitable consequence of pursuing a certain philosophic-economic paradigm of development. The remaining three thematic papers, as also the case-studies, are dealing with the socio-economic policy initiatives of the state (Orissa, taken as a microcosm of India) and the central government while highlighting the actual destructive impacts of the policy initiatives on the ground situation.
The survival of forests in India is today at a grave risk. To protect them successfully will require a breaking out of the siege of the predatory model of economic development that our country has adapted. It is hoped that this volume will be useful to anyone interested in protecting the natural heritage of our country.
To book your copy please writes to kvbooks@gmail.com or call 91-020-25654239/25675450.
source: Nathistroyy India mail
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