Towards a More Comprehensive Understanding of Rivers

For several years now there has been widespread and deep concern at the deplorable state of the rivers Yamuna and Ganga. From time to time, there have also been disturbing accounts of the decline of certain other rivers. Very occasionally, there are reports about a few rivers that have remained relatively healthy and unpolluted. The circumstances and developments involved in those vague perceptions, both positive and negative, were sought to be explored in a series of monthly lectures/presentations. The present book is the outcome of that programme. Papers in finished form were asked for and some additional papers were obtained. The major part of the book consists of a series of chapters that give an account of the present condition of many of our rivers and of the factors that have had an impact on that condition.