Present study is an attempt, first, to assess the impact of environmental degradation on economic life of rural communities in India, in terms of actual loss suffered by farmers due to fall in agricultural productivity, reduction in livestock population and deterioration of health, as a result of institution of some polluting industries in areas adjacent to their habitats. Secondly the study undertakes an investigation into the effectiveness of existing regulatory measures and the process of governance with a view to locating their points of success and failure. It carries out an elaborate...