Encyclopaedia, like the present one, gives a broad-based exposure of environment to a variety of readers. It is an effort to put together a veritable mine of information on environmental science and technology in a user-friendly manner. In fact, the publication like this is essential to sensitize the people at large to the current status of our environment. Though there are good number of publications available on the subject, this is probably the first, which has tried to cover all facets of environment within a single volume. In fact, its subject coverage is entirely different; it is concerning our surrounding, humanity and the fragile planet.
The book discusses the problems like imperilled ecosystems, disappearing forests, endangered species, dwindling natural resources, escalating pollution, among others. An attempt has been made to provide a link between the related topics within the volume. It assumes minimum background in science. The text is enriched with large number of illustrations for clear understanding of the concepts.
This book encapsulates the essence of about 1000 selected terms. On an average, each term has been given a space of about one paragraph and is thoroughly illustrated. Since environmental science is a multi-disciplinary subject, these terms are from areas like atmospheric science, environmental pollution and control, environmental engineering, ecology, wildlife, natural history, nature and natural resources conservation, endangered biological heritage, forestry, toxicology and hazardous substances. The book will serve as a reference tool for students of environmental science, ecology, resources conservation, etc., researchers in these fields, and policymakers.
M.M.S. Karki is a retired senior scientist (Scientist ‘F’) of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India. At the time of his retirement, he was holding a senior position in the editorial office of the National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources. He has more than 33 years’ experience of editing/writing. During his editorial career, he compiled/edited: (1) Industrial encyclopaedias/monographs; (2) Primary/ secondary research journals; and (3) Popular science articles/books. Mr. Karki also did a brief stint in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, and served for about three years as Environmental Officer. He is the founder editor of the Paryavaran Abstracts – an abstracting journal on environmental science and technology brought out by the Ministry. He also participated in a number of national seminars and symposia on environmental science.
