Monsoon Economy: The Price Of Conquering Nature

In the monsoon regions of South Asia, the rainy season sustains life but
brings with it the threat of floods, followed by a long stretch when
little gainful work is possible and the threat of famine looms too.
Beginning in the late nineteenth century, a series of interventions by the
Indian government and other actors mitigated these conditions, thus
enabling agricultural growth, encouraging urbanization and bringing about a
permanent decrease in death rates. But these actions—largely efforts to
ensure wider access to water—came at a cost to environmental
sustainability. In Monsoon Economy, Tirthankar Roy explores the interaction
between the environment and the economy in the emergence of modern
India.
Roy argues that the tropical monsoon climate makes economic and
population growth contingent on water security. But in a water-scarce world,
the means used to increase water security not only created environmental
stresses but also made political conflict more likely. Highlighting the
importance of water as a public good, the author critically analyses issues
such as water quality in cities, the shift from impounding river water in dams
and reservoirs to exploring groundwater, and the seasonality of a monsoon
economy. He also draws economic lessons from India for a world facing
environmental degradation.