Applied research in environmental economics has gained momentum in recent times and is viewed as a means to aid environmental management. The South Asian Network for Development Economics and Environment (SANDEE) has contributed to this momentum in South Asia, a region with a vast and growing ecological footprint. During the last ten years, SANDEE has sponsored research on several aspects of environment and development. It has also organized numerous workshops to meet training needs.

SANDEE uses innovative strategies to build capacity in environmental economics. Researchers and managers from universities, governments and NGOs are provided with repeated opportunities to improve their skills. The process for an economist to produce a useful piece of research is detailed. It involves his/her attending a teaching workshop, writing a research proposal related to an environmental problem in his/her country, presenting ongoing research to receive comments, receiving guidance from a SANDEE advisor and writing a manuscript. The final research output is peer-reviewed by an international expert. Thus, SANDEE research is grounded in the realities of local problems but benefits from the advice of scholars from around the world.

This book contains contributions from SANDEE researchers and advisors. The papers in the book are on environmental valuation in South Asia and provide information for designing sustainable development policies. They constitute detailed micro case studies of air, water, land and forest resources from the region.