This report on progress in Indian Geography is a modest attempt at projecting the state ofthe art as perceived by a group of scholars who have collaborated with me in this venture.
Needless to mention, opinions tend to vary, depending upon who is writing the report on the stateof affairs in a particular branch of study. Some have been quite happy and optimistic about theefforts made in a particular branch of study in geography; others feel disappointed and lookforward to more concerted efforts to be made by geographers in India to bring the branch of studyto a desired level of international standard. No attempt however has been made in this report to raise controversial issues or project the image of a certain school of thought. The report wasdesigned to focus on the most productive areas of research in different branches of geography and to find out emerging areas of research in the light of the changes taking place in global as well as in Indian physical, economic, social and political space. Effort was made to be as comprehensiveas possible, but despite best efforts some areas could not be covered due to lack of response.
The various sections of the report have been authored by professional colleagues who were extremely kind to spare their valuable time in writing the essays in spite of paucity of timeand other nagging responsibilities. These contributions are given below:
The Report has been organized into nine broad themes apart from an introductory section
on Geographical Mosaic of India: The Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere; Interpretation of Economic Phenomena; Interpretation of Demographic Phenomena;
Urbanisation; Regional Development and Planning; Historical Geography; Interpretation of
Social Phenomena; Interpretation of Political Phenomena and Methodological Issues. Reviews ofresearch may occasionally reflect individual viewpoints or likes and dislikes. These were
unavoidable. These aberrations however do not in any manner undermine the basic thrust ofgetting an overall impression about the progress that Indian Geography has made during the pastfour years.
ABSTRACT OF THE REPORT
This overview of research in Indian Geography covers the period between the 30th and 31st Congresses of the International Geographical Union. The Indian contribution to geography has been broadly reviewed by grouping it into the following clusters of research: The Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and Atmosphere; Interpretation of Economic Phenomena; Interpretation of Demographic Phenomena; Urbanization; Regional Development and Planning; Historical Geography; Interpretation of Socio cultural Phenomena; Interpretation of Political Phenomena and Methodological
Issues.
Each cluster has been further divided into sections depending upon the multiplicity of issues inherent. The classical division of the discipline between physical and human was not considered meaningful while presenting this overview. The reportbegins with an opening section on A Geographical Mosaic of Incredible India introducingthe natural and cultural heritage of India. The section is aimed at providing an overviewof the baffling geographical diversity that India represents both in its physical setting and in its cultural make up.
Most if not all, sections indicate gaps in research, recommendations and futureresearch agenda. All references to bibliography have been placed at the end, according tothe sections. Broadly, the following important areas of concern may be identified which appear to be significant from the overview of research in Indian Geography presented in detail in subsequent sections:
Needless to mention, opinions tend to vary, depending upon who is writing the report on the stateof affairs in a particular branch of study. Some have been quite happy and optimistic about theefforts made in a particular branch of study in geography; others feel disappointed and lookforward to more concerted efforts to be made by geographers in India to bring the branch of studyto a desired level of international standard. No attempt however has been made in this report to raise controversial issues or project the image of a certain school of thought. The report wasdesigned to focus on the most productive areas of research in different branches of geography and to find out emerging areas of research in the light of the changes taking place in global as well as in Indian physical, economic, social and political space. Effort was made to be as comprehensiveas possible, but despite best efforts some areas could not be covered due to lack of response.
The various sections of the report have been authored by professional colleagues who were extremely kind to spare their valuable time in writing the essays in spite of paucity of timeand other nagging responsibilities. These contributions are given below:
The Report has been organized into nine broad themes apart from an introductory section
on Geographical Mosaic of India: The Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere; Interpretation of Economic Phenomena; Interpretation of Demographic Phenomena;
Urbanisation; Regional Development and Planning; Historical Geography; Interpretation of
Social Phenomena; Interpretation of Political Phenomena and Methodological Issues. Reviews ofresearch may occasionally reflect individual viewpoints or likes and dislikes. These were
unavoidable. These aberrations however do not in any manner undermine the basic thrust ofgetting an overall impression about the progress that Indian Geography has made during the pastfour years.
ABSTRACT OF THE REPORT
This overview of research in Indian Geography covers the period between the 30th and 31st Congresses of the International Geographical Union. The Indian contribution to geography has been broadly reviewed by grouping it into the following clusters of research: The Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and Atmosphere; Interpretation of Economic Phenomena; Interpretation of Demographic Phenomena; Urbanization; Regional Development and Planning; Historical Geography; Interpretation of Socio cultural Phenomena; Interpretation of Political Phenomena and Methodological
Issues.
Each cluster has been further divided into sections depending upon the multiplicity of issues inherent. The classical division of the discipline between physical and human was not considered meaningful while presenting this overview. The reportbegins with an opening section on A Geographical Mosaic of Incredible India introducingthe natural and cultural heritage of India. The section is aimed at providing an overviewof the baffling geographical diversity that India represents both in its physical setting and in its cultural make up.
Most if not all, sections indicate gaps in research, recommendations and futureresearch agenda. All references to bibliography have been placed at the end, according tothe sections. Broadly, the following important areas of concern may be identified which appear to be significant from the overview of research in Indian Geography presented in detail in subsequent sections:
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