Reviews of the latest books from and on Southasia
HIMALAYAS
by Blanche C. Olschak, Augusto Gansser and Andreas Gruscke
Facts on File 288 pp. U$ 40, 1988 Now translated from German into English, this 288-page illustrated volume is a tour de force that deals with the Himalaya, including the trans-Himalaya and the Karakoram. The text, the 297 colour photographs and 17 maps are well integrated. The book takes the great river system of the Himalaya as its reference point and deals individually with the basins of the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo), Indus, Sutlej, Karnali and the Ganges. There are separate sections on Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, the Indian border regions, and Baitistan and Gilgit in Pakistan, The book is strong on Himalayan geology, cultures and economies. Gansser is a geologist who has spent most of his 77 years studying the Himalaya, and Olschak is a professor of history who specialises in Central Asia.
THE KASHMIRI PANDITS A Study of Cultural Choice by Henry Sender
Oxford University Press IRs 220, 1988
This is a loosely structured, highly readable, sociological treatise on the changing cultural attributes of the Pandits of Kashmir: the Saprus, Shivpuris, Ogras, Takrus, Nehrus, Katjus, Dars, Rainas, Kauls, Handoos, Kitchloos and Kunzrus. The book deals with the Pandits´ collective memory of persecution and migration from Srinagar Valley and how they adjusted to the "host environment", be it the Mughal court, Avadh, or Ranjit Singh´s court in Lahore. With the advent of the British, some became the standard bearers of Anglicised culture. There was conflict between commitment to a Brahmanical identity and a self-image of enlightenment transcending sectarianism. The Pandits adapted by surrendering older traditions, yet never integrating fully into their adopted societies. For several reasons, the Kashmiris evolved an ethos of liberal secularism, which has had a major role in the structuring of Indian secularism. (Ratan Watal)
OVER THE HIGH PASSES A Year in the Himalayas by Christina Noble
FontanalRupa
1.95 Pounds, 1988
Noble, a Scotswoman settled in Manali,
records in this book a year of travels
with the herdspeople of Himachal
Pradesh, known variously as Gujars, Bakarwals or Gaddis. From Kangra, she trekked over the Dhaula Dhar into Gadderan, the Gaddi homeland on the upper reaches of the Ravi, and from there via the Kugti Pass across to the summer pastures in Lahoul. Autumn finds her following different flocks back over the Rohtang Pass into Kulu; come winter, she is back once more at the grazing grounds of Kangra. Noble records the Gaddi´s perceptions about themselves and their way of life. Encroachment by orchards and increased emphasis on forest preservation has restricted grazing. The writer comes away feeling that despite the hardships of their migratory way of life, the Gaddis are doing reasonably well and do not feel inclined to give up their way of life. She finds the Gaddi ethos flexible and forward looking enough to be capable of accommodating to lifestyle changes that may be required. (Janet Rizvi)
THE ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF
EUCALYPTUS
Food and Agriculture Organisation
(FAO)
IRs 75, 1988
This book carries, in condensed form, a study carried out by FAO for the Swedish International Development Agency and is an attempt to analyse "as dispassionately and objectively as possible" the available information on the ecological effects of eucalyptus. It is a response to the growing body of opinion that eucalyptus causes a variety of short and long term ills, such as degrading the soil, reducing water availability and affecting wildlife. The book discusses the large potential benefits that eucalyptus can offer to the forestry programmes of developing countries and argues in favour of its planting. (Available from Natraj Publishers, Dehra Dun.)
LADAKH:
Nubra, the Forbidden Valley by Major H.P.S.Ahluwalia
Himacha! Books, New Delhi 170 pp. IRs 395, 1988 Ahluwalia, the celebrated mountaineer and Himalayologist, describes the not very well known valley of Nubra in Ladakh. With a sensitive eye and pen, he describes the landscape and the people who live along the upper Indus, in a land "unspoilt, being insulated and unaffected by the problems and benefits of modern life". The book contains vivid descriptions of a Ladakhi wedding, the Hemis monastery, and a fine
account of the town of Leh. The presentation is enriched by colour photographs, rare maps and several archival illustrations. (TSSatyan)
SIKKIM
A Himalayan Realm
Tulsiram SharmaKashyai
SIKKIM
A Himalayan Realm
by Tulsiram Sharma "Kashyap"
Atmaram & Sons, DelhllLucknow IRs 150, 1988
This is an epic poem by Sharma, who is the Speaker of Sikkim´s Legislative Assembly. While the cadences, juxtapositions and flow of the original Nepali would be impossible to retain in English, this publication, as translated by P.B.Chakravarty, nevertheless succeeds in doing justice to the central theme of the poem, the cultural and geographical variety of Sikkim. The epic is woven around the odyssey of a Lepcha youth, Lakpa, and a Nepali girl, Rajani. As it follows the two, the narrative meanders over the length and breadth of Sikkim. Sharma leaves very few aspects of Sikkim´s geography and history untouched. "Kashyap" treats every constituency represented in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly individually, even including the names and antecedents of its elected members. (KMD)
SOME PROVISIONS RELATING TO MOUNTAIN TOURISM IN NEPAL
Minisiry of Tourism, Kmhmandu Available free, 1988
A very useful and up-to-date compendium of information on mountaineering in Nepal, this booklet lists all the peaks that have been opened for expeditions. They are divided into four categories: 17 peaks are open for Nepali expeditions or joint (Nepali-foreign) expeditions with at least three Nepali members. Six peaks will be open only after they have been climbed by Nepali or joint expeditions. 81 peaks are fully open to foreign expeditions. 18 can be attempted by trekking groups with permission from the Nepal Mountaineering Association. The booklet also contains all relevant Nepali legislation relating to adventure-tourism in the country, including Chapter 4 of the Tourism Act of 1978; the Mountaineering Expedition Regulation of 1979 (including 1984 and 1985 amendments); and the Trekking and River Rafting Regulation of 1984,
NATURAL HAZARDS AND MAN-MADE IMPACTS IN THE NEPAL HIMALAYA by Chandra K. Sharma
Pushpa Sharma, Publisher (Price not given) 1988
The book points out the different kinds of natural hazards that exist in Nepal´s mountains and how human impact has threatened ecological balance. Hazards identified and studied include earthquakes, glacial lake outbursts, cloud bursts, heavy rainfall, floods, drought, landslides, rock slides, "soil creep" and debris flow. Most impressive is the cover picture showing entire sections of a Himalayan highway washed away by a river in spate during the monsoon. The author provides detailed data on natural disasters and catastrophes which are accelerated by human activity. Among the information presented are loss of life and property figures for 1983-84, collected from the Ministry of Home Affairs, temperature changes in Kathmandu Valley, discharge variations of the Tatnur and Bhote Kosi Rivers, and seismic records going back to 1255 AD.
INNOCENTS ABROAD IN THE
FORESTS OF NEPAL
An Account of Australian Aid to
Nepalese Forestry
by D.M. Griffin
Anutech Pty Ltd, Canberra
A$ 4.95, 1988
This book deals first with development
co-operation between Australia and
Nepal in forest and soil conservation
since 1966. It then focuses on the last
decade´s experience of the unusually
successful Nepal- Australia Forestry
Project (NAFP), which laid the standard
for community forestry projects in the
Nepali hills. Griffin, Professor of
Forestry at the Australian National
University, has been Director of the Project since 1975. In the book, he presents a personal viewpoint on policy issues and how projects should be run. The book will be useful for professional foresters, planners of rural development assistance projects and graduate students in forestry, development studies, public policy and rural sociology.
THE CHIPKO MESSAGE Chipko Information Centre
Silyara, Tehri-Garhwal IRs 50, 1987
Produced to celebrate Chipko´s selection as one of four recipients of the Right Livelihood Award for !987, this booklet is a compilation of six articles, starting with "An Appeal to Save the Ecology of the Himalayas" by Swami Chidananda. Sunderlal Bahuguna and Richard S. Barbe Baker provide general background on Chipko and discuss its philosophical underpinnings. Indu Tikekar writes on women´s role in the movement and V.D. Sakiani´s contribution is entitled "Tehri Dam: A Dangerous Venture".
NEWSLETTER OF HIMALAYAN
BOTANY
No.4, December 1988
Editors, H. Oliba and S.B. Malta
The latest issue of this semiannual newsletter on Himalayan botany contains a preliminary report on the plant communities in the Langtang Helambu area North of Kathmandu, which is floristically one of the most unique regions in the Himalaya. Over 16,000 specimens were collected during a nine month period in 1986. Their analysis continues in laboratories in Edinburgh, Graz (Austria), Hiroshima, London and Tokyo. The newsletter also describes a Japan-Nepal botanical expedition in East and central Nepal during mid- monsoon 1988, which collected 25,000 herbarium specimins and 500 wood samples. There are reviews of new books. Flora of Bhutan and Flowers of the Himalaya, the second of which is a supplement containing 350 new species.
STATE OF THE WORLD 1989 Worldwatch Institute
Paperback, U$ 9.95
The 1989 edition of this desktop guide to the world environment sketches a portrait of a world at risk. The croplands are washing away, the forests are disappearing, and the protective ozone layer is eroding. Global temperatures seem to be rising to unprecedented levels. Even though natural systems are crumbling under the pressures of ever rising human demands,
says the Washington DC based Worldwatch Institute, environmental illiteracy is still commonplace. The Institute´s researchers, led by its President, Lester Brown, present their findings in 10 concise chapters, which examine topics ranging from ozone depletion to the future of the automobile to the rising threat of AIDS. A final chapter presents a "Global Action Plan" to preserve the habitability of the planet.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE
HIMALAYAS
by U.K.Gupta
D´octave IRs 200 1981 (newly available) This bibliography is helpful to researchers, planners and agencies working on Himalayan development issues. Gupta, who is affiliated with the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute in Dchra Dun, presents consolidated information on scientific work on the Himalaya, particularly with reference to resource use and regional development. For example, detailed information is contained on subjects such as the silling of reservoirs, hydro-electric power generation, flood control and use of renewable resources. (Available at Indian Documentation Service, Naisubzimandi, P.B. No.13, Gurgaon, 122001, Haryana.)
THE DRAGON KINGDOM
Images of Bhutan
by Blanche Olchak, Ursula Marcus-
Gansser, Augusto Gansser
Shambala Publications U$ 35, 1988
This book is richly illustrated with stunning photographs and reproductions of traditional Buddhist images in woodblock prints.
The text is by Ms. Olshak and photographs by Ms. Ursula- Gansser and Mr. Gansser. The book provides a summary of the history of Bhutan, both mystical and actual, the latter starting with the theocratic rulership of Zhabdung I (1594 to 1651 C.E). The present king, following in the footsteps of his father, is trying to lead his country, the only remaining nation with Mahayana Buddhism as the State religion, into the modern world while preserving what is good in its tradition. The author and photographers offer us a sympathetic account of this little-known kingdom. (Miriam Poser)
Names in brackets indicate the source of the abstract, if originally reviewed elsewhere.