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Synopsis Indian arid zone, like other arid areas of the world, is beset with varied and complex problems, ecological and environmental degradation being the most predominant. However, the sheer ‘vastness’ in terms of land area, human and livestock population explosion on one hand and ‘diversity’ with regard to physical, environmental and biological resources on the other, put a distinctive stamp on the Indian and ecosystems as something very different from others. Thus, the sustainable deelopment of the Indian arid zone is a challenging task, butperspective is a pre-requisite to sustainable development. The problems and prospects of development of the Indian arid zone have been studied by several research workers during the last three decades. Quite a few publications are available on these aspects. This book gives a perspective of the present status of natural resources in terms of their physical potentials and limitations and offer management stragegies for sustainable development of the fragile arid ecosystems. The contents of this book include eight sections covering thirty nine chapters onvarioius facets of the Indian arid zone, written by leading experts in the fields of their specializatioin having a long standing in the arid zone research. This book will be of immense use to the research workers, policy makers, planners and development agencies.