Unearthed: The Environmental History of Independent India
India's bond with the natural world has always been complicated, passionate, and deeply consequential. Citizens have rallied against water projects, fought fiercely for wildlife sanctuaries, chained themselves to ancient forests, preserved agricultural heritage, carved out space for roaming herds, and grappled with refuse crises and poisoned skies. Climate shifts pose fresh challenges each passing year. This fascinating account traces the environmental awakening of the Republic from its founding in 1947 through landmark initiatives like the agricultural boom and the government's climate response strategy. Gupta weaves together forgotten moments of activism, profiles of visionary conservationists, and playful illustrations throughout. The result? A brisk, engaging chronicle that doesn't shy away from hard truths yet radiates quiet optimism. By understanding how we've stumbled and occasionally succeeded, the author suggests, we might yet steer the nation toward a more sustainable tomorrow. It's a call to reckon with our past whilst imagining a different kind of progress.
- Author: Meghaa Gupta
- Publisher: Puffin
- Genre: Environmental Studies
- ISBN: 978-0143450917
- Pages: 232 pages