Books in the NIAS Man and Nature in Asia series

Through topics ranging from medieval literature and fine arts, to modern vending machines and tourism, this work examines the relationship between humans and nature in Japan. It documents the diversity in how Japanese people come to terms with nature.

Among the themes discussed in this text are European and indigenous perceptions of the environment; historical processes of environmental change; the politics of resource use; ecotourism and development; deforestation and smallholding land-use strategies; and demography.

Asia has a long history of environmental degradation and its fair share of natural disasters. This volume paints a general picture of the Asian situation, examining the effect of environmental campaigns.

Contemporary thinking favours local participation and local stake-holding under a decentralized, democratic framework as the just and efficient solution to contemporary South Asian environmental dilemmas and crises. This work aims to substantiate, qualify or criticize this formula.