Delhi's environment
Books by Kalpavriksh
The Delhi Ridge Forest: Decline and Conservation
What’s that Bird?
The Little Green Book
Butterflies of Delhi
Small and Beautiful: Sultanpur National Park
Saving Delhi’s Green Areas
Geetanjali Singhal, 1994
This manual has been designed to aid citizens who have always wanted to stand up or take action against destructive development such as tree felling in their area/city, but did not know how to go about it. Information on the laws, whom to contact, with which Department to raise issues and so on has been given here, with special reference to Delhi.
pp.100, Rs. 30 USD 3
Currently Out of Print. Photocopied version can be made available for Rs 50
1991; Hindi version 1997
Delhi’s green areas have always been the first to be sacrificed at the altar of urban growth. Activities aimed at development including Construction work, road widening, quarrying, garbage- dumping and other encroachments have gradually decimated many a vital stretch of forest or parkland. The Ridge forest, a densely vegetated part of the Aravalli Range that runs through the heart of Delhi, also faced the brunt of this attack. Over 40% of the Ridge has already been destroyed or degraded, and the damage continues. In the late 1970’s a tiny group of school and college students set about attempting to save this green lung of Delhi. But for the efforts of this and the other groups and individuals, much of even what remains of the Ridge would have been only a memory. This booklet is one outcome of this campaign, and attempts to provide a detailed picture of the various aspects of the Ridge.
pp. 55, 12 illustrations, 2 maps. Rs. 30, USD 3
Delhi’s green areas have always been the first to be sacrificed at the altar of urban growth. Activities aimed at development including Construction work, road widening, quarrying, garbage- dumping and other encroachments have gradually decimated many a vital stretch of forest or parkland. The Ridge forest, a densely vegetated part of the Aravalli Range that runs through the heart of Delhi, also faced the brunt of this attack. Over 40% of the Ridge has already been destroyed or degraded, and the damage continues. In the late 1970’s a tiny group of school and college students set about attempting to save this green lung of Delhi. But for the efforts of this and the other groups and individuals, much of even what remains of the Ridge would have been only a memory. This booklet is one outcome of this campaign, and attempts to provide a detailed picture of the various aspects of the Ridge.
pp. 55, 12 illustrations, 2 maps. Rs. 30, USD 3
Available in Hindi (photocopy)
What’s that Bird?
1991
This field guide is divided into two parts.
The first part looks gives some basics of birdwatching: ground rules of behavior, how to maintain a field diary, what books to refer to, and most important a checklist of features to look out for when observing a bird. The second part concentrates on Delhi, providing a field guide to about 100 of the commonest birds seen in the city. Since most of these birds are also seen in other parts of the country it can be used by birdwatchers elsewhere, especially for areas in and around human settlements.
There is also a map to the best birdwatching places in and around Delhi and a 35-page checklist of Delhi’s birds, the most comprehensive to date and complete with notes on latest status in a tabular form. Designed and priced with students in mind, it would also be invaluable for all those involved in environmental education.
pp. 93, 125 illustrations, 2 maps, Colour plate on cover, Rs. 30 USD$ 3
This field guide is divided into two parts.
The first part looks gives some basics of birdwatching: ground rules of behavior, how to maintain a field diary, what books to refer to, and most important a checklist of features to look out for when observing a bird. The second part concentrates on Delhi, providing a field guide to about 100 of the commonest birds seen in the city. Since most of these birds are also seen in other parts of the country it can be used by birdwatchers elsewhere, especially for areas in and around human settlements.
There is also a map to the best birdwatching places in and around Delhi and a 35-page checklist of Delhi’s birds, the most comprehensive to date and complete with notes on latest status in a tabular form. Designed and priced with students in mind, it would also be invaluable for all those involved in environmental education.
pp. 93, 125 illustrations, 2 maps, Colour plate on cover, Rs. 30 USD$ 3
The Little Green Book
Rajesh Rahul and Sunita Rao, 1995
This book is ideal for young people starting out in environmental work, citizens who want to contribute their energies but do not quite know how, and all those who want to expand their environmental knowledge and network base.
This little volume provides you with comprehensive information on how and with whom to get involved in environmental work and studies with special reference to Delhi. The first part lists 55 Citizens’ Groups, 20 Government Agencies, 22 Libraries and 38 Nature Clubs in Delhi with data on services, addresses, telephone nos., contact persons and what your involvement with them can be. This part may now require some updating, but serves as a good baseline wanting academic training in environment.
The second part gives an all-India list of 61 universities and academic institutions offering environment related courses covering subjects ranging from Ecological Science to Field Ornithology, Environmental Engineering to Non-Conventional Energy. This is the first such compilation in India, and will be invaluable to students.
pp. 94, 11 illustrations, Rs.30, USD 3
This book is ideal for young people starting out in environmental work, citizens who want to contribute their energies but do not quite know how, and all those who want to expand their environmental knowledge and network base.
This little volume provides you with comprehensive information on how and with whom to get involved in environmental work and studies with special reference to Delhi. The first part lists 55 Citizens’ Groups, 20 Government Agencies, 22 Libraries and 38 Nature Clubs in Delhi with data on services, addresses, telephone nos., contact persons and what your involvement with them can be. This part may now require some updating, but serves as a good baseline wanting academic training in environment.
The second part gives an all-India list of 61 universities and academic institutions offering environment related courses covering subjects ranging from Ecological Science to Field Ornithology, Environmental Engineering to Non-Conventional Energy. This is the first such compilation in India, and will be invaluable to students.
pp. 94, 11 illustrations, Rs.30, USD 3
Butterflies of Delhi
Peter Smetacek, 2000
This illustrated booklet will be a useful guide for those who wish to know more about the butterflies found in the parks, gardens and forests of Delhi. Butterflies are excellent indicators of the environment and may be the first casualty of rapidly deteriorating conditions in the city. This book will enable the amateur and scientist alike to take a deeper interest in these colourful winged creatures and hopefully will revive an interest in their conservation.
pp. 68, 4 colour plates, Colour plate on cover. Rs. 30, USD 3
This illustrated booklet will be a useful guide for those who wish to know more about the butterflies found in the parks, gardens and forests of Delhi. Butterflies are excellent indicators of the environment and may be the first casualty of rapidly deteriorating conditions in the city. This book will enable the amateur and scientist alike to take a deeper interest in these colourful winged creatures and hopefully will revive an interest in their conservation.
pp. 68, 4 colour plates, Colour plate on cover. Rs. 30, USD 3
Small and Beautiful: Sultanpur National Park
1996
This publication aims to show that places like Sultanpur jheel, despite their tiny size can harbour a bewildering variety of avian and insect life which need to be sensibly managed and treated with respect by the visiting public. This is an illustrated booklet on the habitat and avifauna of this wetland in Haryana, with an outline of management issues and comprehensive flora-fauna listing.
pp 73, 29 illustrations, 3 maps Rs. 30, USD 3
Currently Out of Print. Photocopied version can be made available for Rs. 40
This publication aims to show that places like Sultanpur jheel, despite their tiny size can harbour a bewildering variety of avian and insect life which need to be sensibly managed and treated with respect by the visiting public. This is an illustrated booklet on the habitat and avifauna of this wetland in Haryana, with an outline of management issues and comprehensive flora-fauna listing.
pp 73, 29 illustrations, 3 maps Rs. 30, USD 3
Currently Out of Print. Photocopied version can be made available for Rs. 40
Saving Delhi’s Green Areas
Geetanjali Singhal, 1994
This manual has been designed to aid citizens who have always wanted to stand up or take action against destructive development such as tree felling in their area/city, but did not know how to go about it. Information on the laws, whom to contact, with which Department to raise issues and so on has been given here, with special reference to Delhi.
pp.100, Rs. 30 USD 3
Currently Out of Print. Photocopied version can be made available for Rs 50
