One must begin by declaring one's total agreement with the central theme of this book, namely, the need for a shift from the reductionist approach to water policy, planning and management prevailing in the Indian water establishment to a new, radically different, holistic and interdisciplinary one…The marshalling of relevant information and scholarship and the rigour of the argument are powerful and persuasive…it is one of the best piece of writing…. This review must return to the high praise with which it started.
A must read for water activists, sarkari engineers and politicians. The author tackles crucial issues which have become contested terrain between people’s movement, the states and the industry—economics and water management, floods in Bihar, the controversial river link project, and more. The author takes us through these mind-field issues and presents a rational, well researched argument in favour of an ecological, integrated approach to water.
The book by Bandyopadhyay is an apt text for researchers and practitioners interested in a holistic approach to water management. Books such as these should also find a place in the curriculum in institution of higher learning so that students get exposure to dimensions of water management other than what they are traditionally exposed to.
[The book] stresses the need for an inter-disciplinary approach to water management. For those interested in pursuing the topic in-depth, Bandyopadhyay‘s book is a rich source of information, as it provides plenty of leads for further reading. The author brings out his rich and diverse experience to lay sown a roadmap for companies to follow.
In this book, [the author] highlights management strategy for the much-needed conceptual shift among water professionals.
The book is meant essentially for academicians working in the fields of geography and environmental science development economies, environmental sociology, ecology and integrated water management.
One of the most impressive things about Prof Jayanta Bandyopadhyay's book Water, Ecosystems and Society is its timing …. With extensive research experience of integrating economics, ecology and social concerns in water management, Prof Bandyopadhyay is perhaps one of the most eligible persons to write on the need of an interdisciplinary approach to water in India…. [The author] has contributed interesting and innovative thoughts about institutional structures for equitable water management.