Articles by Pranab Mukhopadhyay

T S Papola(1941–2015)

A recent report by the National Council of Applied Economic Research comparing benefits and costs of mining and forest services finds that mining benefits outweigh the costs they impose. A scrutiny of the methodology of the report suggests an overvaluation of social benefits and undervaluation of social costs. The report also deviates from received practices in environmental valuation of forest benefits. Its conclusions therefore are inaccurate and state policy must be cautious while allowing activities that may cause irreversible damages to Goa's natural wealth.

The absence of post-construction reviews severely hamper assessments of multi-purpose river valley projects' (MRVPs) actual performance vis-a-vis its claims. Long-term effects like ecological disequilibriums remain unaccounted for due to an absence of comprehensive pre-project environmental impact assessment. This article, studying three projects, namely, Hirakud, Ukai and Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP), clearly demonstrates the glaring and complete dichotomy between pre-construction projections and post-construction realities. Waterlogging, salinity, sedimentation and health hazards have a high possibility of occurrence. Even flood control, irrigation and power generation are not effective as envisaged. These experiences, the article argues, need to be studied in-depth and made to constitute an important part of future planning for MRVPs.