Eucalyptus : Enduring Myths, Stunning Realities/S.A. Abbasi, N. Ramesh and S. Vinithan. New Delhi, Discovery Publishing House, 2004, vii, 144 p., figs., tables, ISBN 81-7141-892-9.

    Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. The eucalyptus controversy. 3. A profile of Neyveli lignite corporation and its afforestation programme. 4. The surveys. 5. The key findings. 6. Summary and conclusions. Bibliography. Index.

    "Eucalyptus is one such genera of trees. But at present it is hardly regarded as a gift of God by majority of environmentalists. To them, eucalyptus is a curse, a s courage, a harbinger of despair and destruction!

    While the supporters of eucalyptus find nothing wrong with the tree, the opponents find nothing right. There is no other tree in the world that evokes such strong and conflicting emotions in the proponents of the rival schools of thought. As a result, environmental impacts of eucalyptus plantations, big or small, have become topics of acrimonious discussions on all platforms--scientific or social. Critics of eucalyptus point out that they lower the water table, dry up perennial streams, deplete soil moisture, exhaust nutrients, reduce soil fertility, discourage undergrowth, and are susceptible to pest attacks. . . allegations galore. The supporters of eucalyptus refute these charges with the claims that the tree does not cause any of these adverse impacts but is a bonanza for social foresters.

    This landmark book examines all the facets of eucalyptus controversy in an objective and impartial manner. It then presents original findings of the authors based on one of the longest and most thorough study of eucalyptus plantations ever done in relation to the plantations of other tree species. The result: stunning realities!" (jacket)

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