Dams have emerged as one of the most important tools for the management of rivers. Over 45,000 large dams around the world have played an important role in helping communities and economies harness water resources for food production, energy generation, flood control and domestic use. The benefits derived from large dams have made a significant contributions to human development. Floods have taken a large toll of human lives over the years and also caused large economic losses. World Bank is pushing construction of large dams. Along with dams, the river interlinking project is also under consideration in India. The more recent focus has been on the strategic development of sustainable irrigation practices within an integrated Catchment Management context. World Commission on Dams (WCD) has suggested some recommendations and strategic priorities for the construction of dams. WCD report has proved to be important in reducing environmental and social challenges. This book aims at exploring the significance of rivers and dams from economic, ecological, social and cultural angles. The book tries to present general patterns and trends in the management of rivers as well as planning and operation for large dams. The central issues in the large dams debate - the benefits and adverse impacts - are also considered. The book is presented in three sections: 'Rivers and Darns: An Overview', 'Key Issues' and 'Country Experiences'.

Roads are the main blood vessels of a city. Road Network and its standard indicate the status of a city. Road transportation is under stress due to increase both in population and in vehicles. Apathy shown towards road transportation system, lack of enforcement and improper road culture have resulted in a global epidemic called Road Traffic Injuries (RTI). Across the world, about 1.2 million people lose their lives and as many as 50 millions get injured annually in road crashes. Out of which, 85 per cent of the deaths and 90 per cent of the injuries occur in developing countries. This costs the developing countries about 1-3 per cent of their GNP. An integrated, comprehensive and sustainable road safety management is essential. The government of - a nation should take the initiative and co-ordinate with all stakeholders of the roads. The participants who can make valuable contributions, other than the government, are the non-Governmental organisation, private stakeholders, driving schools, vehicle manufacturers, medical fraternity, research organisations, media and the road users. Moreover, it requires technical and non-technical measures which have to be taken up simultaneously to curb this major disaster. The purpose of this book is to sensitise all to issue of road safety and to discuss the steps which need to be taken by the government and all stakeholders of the roads. This book is divided into three sections. Section I discusses the causes responsible for road accidents like alcohol, human error, bad roads, defective vehicles etc. Section II talks about technical and, non-technical steps to curb this disaster, like Intelligent Traffic System (ITS), Road Safety Index, Emergency Medical Services and other tools. Section III consists of country experiences and cases like impact of Road Crashes on the Poor (Bangalore and Bangladesh); Road Safety: Issues and Initiatives in Bangladesh; Road Accident Reporting Computerised System in Thailand; Carriageway and Safety of Life in Nagpur City: Before and After Renovation of Roads and Driving Road Safety Forward (Shell initiatives in the Middle East).

Train travelling is becoming faster and safer due to the advancement in technologies. New technologies are adopted to cope with the increasing demand in the transportation sector especially in rail transport owing to the problems, like congestion, pollution etc faced in road transport. In the current scenario of growing urbanisation and terrorism, a need is felt for an efficient mass transit system ensuring passenger safety. Countries like Japan, China have developed new technologies in rail transit systems, which have simplified the life of commuters. Indian Railways are also not behind in the race of using new technologies. Indian Railways have started metro rails in Kolkata, Delhi and have launched new metro rail projects in many other cities like Mumbai and Bangalore. Over the past few years, positive steps have been taken in creating a modern Mass Rapid transit System in India. Many new technologies have been used in the construction and management of metro rails. The book describes different technologies used by countries world-wide. It covers the experiences and prospects of rail transport in different parts of the world. It also gives and idea of the efforts put in by the Indian Railways in upgrading and modernising their technology and provides a glimpse of their future plans. Indian Railways have taken an encouraging step towards the development of an efficient, new technology based mass urban transit system. With increasing urbanisation and rising population in India, building an efficient mass transit system is a challenge for Indian Railways. Success of Indian Railways to achieve this objective would solve the transportation problems of our cities.

CONTENTS: Climate Change Impacts & Responses; Tourism Feels the Heat of Global Warming; Measuring the Environmental Impact of Travel: Business Intelligence for Informed Travel Choice; Too Hot to Handle? The Hospitality Industry Faces Up to Climate Change; Climate Change & the Caribbean; Climate Change & Local Awareness: A Comparative Study on Tourism Stakeholders in Zandvoort (NL) & Costa del Sol (ES); Climate Change Adaption & Mitigation in the Tourism Sector: Frameworks, Tools & Practices -- Adaptation; Climate Change & Nature -- Based Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, & Forestry in Ontario: Potential Effects & Adaptation Strategies; Weather & Climate as Limiting Factors in Winter Tourism in Polar Areas: Changing Climate & Nature -- Based Tourism in Northern Finland; Tourism Destinations -- Carbon Footprints.