Environmental Conflicts and Public Interest Science

Interest Science Vandana Shiva J Bandyopadhyay The emergence of public interest science is critical to a just resolution of conflicts over natural resources since, in its absence, partisan science is given the status of a neutral value-free, and independent tool for resolving con- flicts. However, since partisan science is cognitively rooted in special vested interests, it tends to bias public policy decisions in their favour and against public interest. In support of this argument, the authors review the role of public interest science in environmental action in the Boon Valley and in the forest struggles.