This book examines the intersection of contemporary environmental issues and movements in independent India, and the development of Hindu conservative ideology and politics. It also focuses on post-2014 scenarios up to the present day. Sharma argues that these two social currents - environmental conservation and Hindu politics - have forged strong bonds. He reveals the hijacking of environmentalism - including the politics of climate change and energy transition - by conservative and retrograde worldviews. This, he says, constitutes a major aspect of hinterland political life. Environmentalism and politics cannot be seen as separate: environmental issues are being defined in new ways by an anti-secular form of Hinduism. And Hindu ideologues are gaining mileage for their ideology by espousing major environmental projects. Anna Hazare's impact is studied in detail through a field investigation of his environmental initiative in Ralegan Siddhi.

Sunderlal Bahuguna's opposition to the Tehri Dam in the Garhwal Himalaya is outlined with anthropological subtlety.