<tideeAbstracts><tideeAbs><RefNo>4484</RefNo><Contributors>Reddy V R and Behera B.</Contributors><PublishYear>2006.</PublishYear><Source><italic>Ecological Economics</italic> 58(3): 520–537</Source><Affiliation>Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Nizamia Observatory Campus, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500 016, India</Affiliation><Title>Impact of water pollution on rural communities: an economic analysis

TERI

TERI Information Digest on Energy and Environment

0972-6721

The Energy and Resources Institute

tidee-6-1-029

ABSTRACTS OF DISSERTATIONS OR ARTICLES

Environmental economics

32007

618686

<tideeAbstracts><tideeAbs><RefNo>4484</RefNo><Contributors>Reddy V R and Behera B.</Contributors><PublishYear>2006.</PublishYear><Source><italic>Ecological Economics</italic> 58(3): 520–537</Source><Affiliation>Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Nizamia Observatory Campus, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500 016, India</Affiliation><Title>Impact of water pollution on rural communities: an economic analysisThis paper assesses the economic costs of water pollution (industrial) in the rural communities in terms of losses to agricultural production, human health, and livestock. The cost estimates are based on the detailed primary (household level) data collected from an intensive study of two villages—one a pollution-affected village and another control (not affected by pollution)—located in one of the industrial belts in Andhra Pradesh, South India. The cost estimates revealed that the impact of industrial pollution on rural communities is quite substantial in monetary terms. The paper argues that the compensation principle might work if the estimates of damage are realistic. Further, mere passing of laws and creating institutional structures are necessary but not sufficient to address the environmental problems. Policies should be implemented in their right perspective. Institutions should be strong enough, with more autonomy and powers, to deal with the problems at hand. (1 figure, 12 tables, 17 references)