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.

This book is designed to prove a unique handbook on ecology and environment.
Very succinct information is gathered and contained in the topics like—Floral and faunal distribution in India; Endangered species of India; Ethno botanical studies in India; Wildlife reserves in India; Biodiversity; Natural Resources Conservation in India; The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 etc. will prove of utmost use to academics, environmental scientists; policy planners and workers in the field.

The major components of lands—croplands, forest lands and grazing lands—out of these grazing lands have been most neglected. Large areas of former grazing lands have come under agriculture leading to an overstocking of the remaining areas. The result is a hungry and malnourished animal population while experts debate whether the number of animals is not too large. Similarly freshwater resources are also in dwindling stage.

This book brings together authentic/ information on land and freshwater situation and laws enacted for pollution control. Topics X-rayed in this book are: Land Management; Indian Rivers; Convention (with Annex) Concerning Fishing in the Water of Danube (1958); Agreement Concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Population (1963); European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (1969); Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (1971); OECD: Council Recommendation on Principles Governing Tran frontier Pollution (1974); Convention for the United States and Canada on Great Lakes Water Quality (1976); Convention on the Protection of the Rhine Against Pollution by Chlorides (176); Agreement between the United States and Canada on Great Lakes Water Quality (1978); etc

Growing population pressure has always been a major cause of forest depletion. Forests are disappearing today not simply because human numbers are growing. Their disappearance can spell catastrophe for people now living and for future generations. If we want to avoid that catastrophe, we must understand why the forests are disappearing. Only in the light of that understanding can measures be devised and action taken to avert disaster.
Major laws to protect forests and forest resources so far are given coverage in this book. Some of these are: People and Forests; The State of World’s Forests; Forest Farming; Amazon Declaration (1989); Declaration of Brasilia (1989); International Tropical Timber Agreement (1983); International Labor Conference Recommendation 104; Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1982); Python-Sanitary Convention for Africa South of Sahara (1954) etc.