Final Vol 16-1.pmd


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Economics of  Environment and Development

Editor : Pushpam Kumar
Publisher : Ane Books, New Delhi
Year : 2005
Pages : 340+xiv
Price : IRs 295.00

The existing literatures on economics of  environment and
development are scattered in the libraries of  the developing
countries like Nepal. Students of  economics, development,
environment and other allied fields are facing a problem of
getting right literatures on this subject from a vast array of
scattered literatures. In this connection, presenting excellent
articles by renowned experts of  the discipline from all over
the world in a single book is the need of  the hour.

This book “Economics of  Environment and Development”,
assembled by Dr. Pushpam Kumar of  the Institute of
Economic Growth, University of  Delhi, who has several years’
accumulated experience on teaching in the institute, provides
an introduction of  many new perspectives on links between
environment and development in 13 chapters.

Chapter 1 introduces the subject matter. In chapter 2, Mohan Munasinghe, in a very innovative way, touches
the concept of  sustainomics, Trandisciplinary metaframework for making development more sustainable.
This chapter also speaks about cost benefit analysis and multi criteria analysis as tools for analysing sustainable
development issues. The next chapter deals with actor-network model. In this chapter, Peter Soderbaun
gives the emphasis on different models, theories and conceptual frameworks of  social sciences. Clive Spash
in chapter 4 emphasizes the various methods of  cost and benefit analysis. M. N. Murty in chapter 5 explains
the use of  economic instruments for pollution management and other spheres of  environmental management
including conserving biodiversity and ecosystem management.

Next two chapters i.e., 6 and 7 focus on the concept, methodology and examples of  environmental and
natural resource accounting. The eight chapter by Kym Anderson states the standard welfare economic
policies affecting trade and the environment. The ninth chapter builds general models of  environmental
policy and foreign trade and the tenth spells out clearly the partial equilibrium models of  trade and the
environment.

Maichael Rauscher in chapter 11 reviews optimal environmental policy for an open economy. Pushpam
Kumar has presented environmental management in business firm in chapter 12 and chapter 13 by K.
Duraiappah comprehensively deals with poverty and environment degradation.

On closer scrutiny, this excellent book aims to provide an introduction to the theoretical principles that need
to be understood to work effectively and critically with economics, business and environment. However, it
would be more beneficial, easily understandable and quick readable text and reference book to its readers if
sufficient empirical examples are cited wherever appropriate and applicable. It is impossible to cover everything
in one book but the scattered materials regarding the subject in one book definitely serve the purpose of
many students, researchers, and practitioners working in this area.

Buddisagar Paudel
Department of  National Park and wildlife Conservation

Banko Janakari, Vol. 16, No. 1 Book Review