Gender, Ecology and Development in Karnataka: Situation and Tasks Ahead

Abstract

Gender, Ecology and Development’ is a fast emerging area of academic and policy importance, especially in the context of developing societies. Beginning with a discussion in the international context, this paper looks into the attention paid to gender concerns in development in their links with environmental issues. Conceptual framework for studying the inter-relationship is discussed to delineate the intricacies of women’s interaction with nature against a patriarchal and traditional set-up. Karnataka’s major advances in women’s empowerment and development programmes is made by referring to both governmental and civil society organisations’ efforts. Gaps and inadequacies in knowledge and approaches in understanding the issues and challenges ahead are identified and a few areas of policy concern have been identified..