Is there a universal view on the major global environmental threats, as a basis for taking wise decisions? Based on individual knowledge in the field of environmental protection, and visions of how a balanced ecosystem might look, there is likely to be quite a number of deviating opinions in different countries. To a considerable extent, these opinions are probably influenced by public institutional and political viewpoints. Which are the world's "top three" environmental issues?

This book is designed to answer all these queries. The main themes given elaborate treatment in this book are: Introduction; Climate changes; Marine resources; Global warming on sea level; Ozone depletion; Photochemical smog in the atmosphere; System approach to environmental problems; Future prospects of sustainability etc.

The state of health of the people does not depend only on the number of doctors and hospitals, but also on clean environment because if it is conductive to spread of disease, the state of health of the people will be poor. The system has to be preventive as also curative and both are important. Nearly 80 per cent of world's diseases more so in developing world, can be linked with water.

Thus, health and environment are closely interconnected. Some salient issues on the theme are given competent treatment in this book. Major topics covered here are: Introduction; Environmental health problems in India; Habitat; Causes and impact of gas tragedy; Environmental hazards; Cigarettes and smoking; Man-environment relationship; Effects of pesticides; Environmental control etc.

The Himalayan range stretching from Pakistan to Arunachal Pradesh in India must be one of the most spectacular and dramatic areas on earth. Not only does it embrace the highest mountains in the world, but also mighty glaciers and ferocious rivers, huge foothills, and ferocious rivers, huge foothills, and fertile valleys, extensive deserts and dense forests. And it is not only the topography that is so impressive, there is a considerable variety of a mountain person with different cultures, religions and languages.

The real position of Himalayan ecology is thoroughly explained in this book. Major topics included herein are: Introduction; Himalayan ecology; Forest ecosystems; Flora and Fauna; Wasteland management etc.

Several plant/animal species have become extinct due to certain natural phenomena, such as land upheavals, volcanic eruptions, glaciations, and protracted periods of rain or drought, spreading of desert lands, forests fires, and eutrophication in the geological past. While such natural processes in the past had no doubt led to the extinction of flora, the resulting new environmental conditions had also resulted in the evolution and speciation of new flora and migration of floral elements. But, in recent times man with his anthropogenic associates and other factors or practices such as fire or 'slash and burn' for shifting cultivation, grazing by cattle and by several other mechanical means, has suddenly accelerated disastrous condition in natural ecosystems.

Laws are framed and enacted for preservation of biodiversity. Some international laws are covered in the present book viz. Community diversity; Bio-resources; Ecosystem diversity; Endangered species; ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; Plant Protection Agreement for the South East Asia and Pacific Region; Convention Relative to the Preservation of Fauna and Flora in their Natural State (1933); Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (1980); Rio Declaration and Forest Principles; Convention on Biodiversity etc.