India is in the midst of Holocene extinction. Extinction as a result of human activity. Each year, over 150 species of plants and animals go extinct. It is now or never!
Through the course of Blogchatter’s Cause A Chatter Environment Talks series, I have been sharing book recommendations on the environment, environmentalism, and environmentalists. Keeping it India specific, I have shared recommendations on natural and environmental history and climate change.
My next series of recommendations are books to help raise environmental awareness. Books ranging from conservation to degradation. From wildlife to marine life. From pollution to global warming.
The Vanishing: India’s Wildlife Crisis
by Prerna Singh Bindra
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One of my favorite memories of my early childhood is the hordes of fireflies that seemed like magic. They are barely seen around today. Also, have you spotted a sparrow lately that were in abundance earlier? The great Indian bustards and gharials are already close to extinction.
India’s growth story has a massive price to pay. Forests are either encroached or laid waste, endangering their wildlife. In a densely populated country like India, can wild animals and people coexist? The Vanishing: India’s Wildlife Crisis by Prerna Singh Bindra explores burning issues that confront wildlife conservation today. A conservationist’s insider’s view of India’s vanishing natural heritage and the crisis India’s wildlife faces. This book is a must-read.
From Soup to Superstar: The Story of Sea Turtle Conservation along the Indian Coast
by Kartik Shanker
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While we focus on conserving tigers, elephants, and other large mammals, let us also concentrate on marine conservation. India has a vast coastline and yet very little is written about the marine creatures. And lesser resources allocated to their conservation.
From Soup to Superstar by Kartik Shanker is perhaps the first comprehensive account of marine conservation in India. Focusing primarily on sea turtles that are as much a religious symbol as a source of food. It chronicles the efforts made of the last few decades to protect the sea creature. Peppered with the author’s own experiences, it makes for an interesting read.
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Islands in Flux: The Andaman and Nicobar Story
by Pankaj Sekhsaria
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The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are perhaps the least discussed when it comes to conservation, as is with everything else. Made up of over 550 islands and isolated for over a millennium, this beautiful and fragile island chain needs more attention than ever more.
Islands in Flux: The Andaman and Nicobar Story by Pankaj Sekhsaria is a compilation of essays on key issues ranging from environment, wildlife conservation, development to the indigenous communities. Although it does get repetitive at times, consider it an encyclopedia on its history, geology, and ecology.
Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Development
by Vandana Shiva
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When one thinks of environmentalism and particularly environmentalists, the very first name that comes to mind is Vandana Shiva. An award-winning environmentalist, scholar, eco-feminist, and anti-globalization author, she has written over 20 books. It is difficult to zero in on just one book. But the one book that you must read is Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Development.
The book is inspired by women’s struggles for the protection of nature. Think Chipko Movement. It elaborates how women’s attempts in sustaining the ecology are often overlooked. Although the book is criticized for its nature vs culture debate, it is a must-read.
Green Wars
by Bahar Dutt
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Is constructing an airport in rural Uttar Pradesh more important than conserving the shrinking habitat of the sarus cranes? Is a much-needed hydro power project more important or saving the pristine forests? Why should development always be in conflict with the environment?
Green Wars by Bahar Dutt explores the tension between a developing economy and saving the planet. From Arunachal Pradesh to Goa to Gangotri, from illegal mining to climate change, it is an unflinching look at the impact of development on wildlife.
The Great Smog of India
by Siddharth Singh
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Every winter, smog descends over Northern India posing a serious health risk. Raising the AQI levels to almost 800. So much so that emergency health advisories are issued forbidding people from stepping out. Although the primary cause is India’s dependency on burning coal for energy production, Diwali fireworks and “stubble” burning also contribute to the smog.
The Great Smog of India by Siddharth Singh discusses the what, why, and how of air pollution in general and smog in particular. Primarily focusing on New Delhi, it also explores the scientific, historic, and economic reasons or practices that contribute to it.
Flood and Fury: Ecological Devastation in the Western Ghats
by Viju B.
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Spanning 1600 kilometres and six states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat), the Western Ghats were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. But they continue to be vulnerable to ecological damage. Large-scale mining, quarrying, deforestation, and mismanagement have continued to damage the fine ecological balance. Unfortunately, very few people know about it.
Flood and Fury: Ecological Devastation in the Western Ghats by Viju B. is a result of the large-scale destruction caused as the monsoon wreaked havoc in Kerala in 2018. It explores the alarming scale of ecological destruction and political apathy.
I hope these books help you on the journey of environmental awareness. Stay tuned as I would be sharing more recommendations on a range of topics under Environmental Talks. Do you have a recommendation on similar books? I would love to check them out. Do share in the comments below.
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Image by hardiktuteja from Pixabay
September 17, 2021 @ 9:57 am
Such books will definitely remind everyone about this issue and will also help to create awareness.
September 17, 2021 @ 12:47 pm
I must say all your posts are well researched, informative and insightful. Being a book lover I found these books are really interesting. Saved this post for my October book reading purpose.
September 17, 2021 @ 5:50 pm
Very useful and informative post. Actually not only in India but all over the world each and everyone should be aware of these things. Thanks for the wonderful post.
September 17, 2021 @ 7:55 pm
You are a real bookworm, Ritu. You have inspired me to read and I finished two books. Thank you so much for that. I would love to read a few of the books you have shared here
September 18, 2021 @ 1:46 pm
This is an exhaustive list of books on environmental awareness! I find the first book The Vanishing by Prerna Singh Bindra most appealing.
I’ve also wondered where all the birds and birds’ nests have gone. As a child, we used to play a travel game where we counted as many nests as we could on trees.
Do any of these books have suggestions on how we can contribute at an individual level to raise awareness or prevent destruction of wildlife?
September 18, 2021 @ 3:59 pm
With sustainability week around the corner, this post is really relevant. I wish more people could read this.
September 18, 2021 @ 7:35 pm
Each book looks so interesting. I never read these environmental kind of books. But I am curious to read “soap to suerstar. Will check out each one. Thanks for sharing.
September 18, 2021 @ 10:12 pm
If not for you, Ritu, I would have missed getting to know this wonderful genre. Thanks for introducing it to us. Love the titles and covers of all of them. Your crisp review tells me that the content matches perfectly.
September 19, 2021 @ 4:40 am
I was fortunate to grow up amidst the greenery of IISc and every rainy season there would be fireflies. I had a secret favorite spot that was filled with them and they looked so lovely and surreal. These days kids don’t even know what a firefly looks like….recently I again spotted a few in my apartment complex as we stay next to a heavily wooded area and our own campus is filled with trees and plants. However, these are just 1 or 2 floating randomly…not in big swarms like how I was used to seeing it earlier.
As always, I am amazed at your reading list. Lovely recommendations.
September 23, 2021 @ 8:13 pm
Loved the compilation of the books on environmental awareness, Ritu. An exhaustive list and all the mentioned books are quite interesting. Have added a few to my TBR. And yes, miss those Lil sparrows and fireflies, an integral part of our childhood.
September 19, 2021 @ 12:22 pm
The books look interesting. We hardly see crows or sparrows these days. I am going to start with the first one.
September 19, 2021 @ 7:00 pm
Your suggestions on books are quite helpful for me. Environmental Protection is the need of the hour and these books are sure to make a difference.
Thanks for the recommendations.
September 19, 2021 @ 5:15 pm
I think these books are must read for everyone to know about Indian wildlife, endangered species and how crucial it is to save them for better future. Amazing recommendations. Each book sounds interesting.
September 19, 2021 @ 7:02 pm
Your suggestions on books are quite helpful for me. Environmental Protection is the need of the hour and these books are sure to make a difference.
Thanks for the recommendations.
September 19, 2021 @ 8:10 pm
Some great suggestions. Environment is our responsibility. I am sure these books will give us profound and yet simple tips for the healthy planet.
September 19, 2021 @ 9:57 pm
These books look quite informative and your brief reviews give us a quick idea about these books.
September 20, 2021 @ 9:44 am
Thanks for the recommendations. We need such posts and books to remind to care for our environment.
September 20, 2021 @ 5:07 pm
Perfect list ! I will pick few for my class to interact with. Congratulations for picking up causeachatter and spreading awareness
#LifemarblesRead
September 21, 2021 @ 12:06 pm
I never knew about such beautiful books being written on environmental awareness in India…thanks for sharing!
September 21, 2021 @ 5:24 pm
Best list of books on environmental awareness.
September 21, 2021 @ 9:36 pm
A very well researched list, thanks for such good recommendations will surely check them out.
September 22, 2021 @ 9:57 am
I grew up in the outskirts of the city. It was so green then, now it’s all concrete. These books are need of the day to create awareness.
September 22, 2021 @ 11:46 am
A good list of books, I am sure my son would love reading a few of them, thanks for the summary and sharing . Environmental Awareness is very important in schools and for children to appreciate how environment plays a important role
September 22, 2021 @ 4:13 pm
I don’t read non-fiction but these all sounds great for environment awareness. Amazing list!
September 23, 2021 @ 2:43 pm
This is such a gem of a post. While we have been talking about sustainability and ecological damage, by reading more we can increase our knowledge and how we can help the environment.
Thank you for a post on a genre that most of us have been unaware off!
September 24, 2021 @ 8:13 pm
this is a great list to raise environmental awareness, I’m glad to come across it.
September 24, 2021 @ 10:42 pm
Wow, haven’t read any of these. Thanks for these amazing recommendations
September 25, 2021 @ 4:18 pm
Such a great list of recommendations. Will be so glad t read books from this list.
September 28, 2021 @ 1:27 am
Wow that’s quite a reading list you have there. Will surely browse through the contents and check if they are for me.
September 28, 2021 @ 5:29 pm
Amazing recommendations. Thnx for sharing. Adding some to my kiddos reading list
September 28, 2021 @ 10:54 pm
I want to admit I have not read any of them. I read articles but never thought of these books this way. Thanks for sharing this. I will give a try now.
September 29, 2021 @ 3:37 pm
These are such good recommendations, definitely adding them to my to-read list
October 1, 2021 @ 12:50 am
Loved the titles you have shared and researched I must say.
October 2, 2021 @ 5:19 pm
Such a great compilation !! Thanks for sharing these!!
October 2, 2021 @ 9:06 pm
I am definitely interested the “The great smog of India”. Talking about environment is a need of hours. Books like these definitely spread awreness.
October 6, 2021 @ 9:28 am
I’m amazed at your research! Have not read any of these but would love to pick a few on your recommendation.
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