Environmental studies

Topics

Unit-I

10 hrs

1)      Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies. Scope and Importance. Concept of Sustainability and Sustainable Development.

2)      Ecosystem: Structure and Functions of Ecosystem. Energy Flow in an Ecosystem: Food Chains, Food-Webs, and Ecological Succession.

3)      Case Studies on the Forest Ecosystem, Grassland Ecosystem, Desert Ecosystem and Aquatic Ecosystems (Ponds, Streams, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans, Estuaries).

4)      Land Resources and Land use Change; Land Degradation, Soil Erosion and Desertification. Deforestation: Causes and Impacts Due to Mining, Dam Building on Environment, Forests, Biodiversity, and Tribal Populations.

Unit-II

10 hrs

1)      Water: Use and Over-Exploitation of Surface and Ground Water,Floods, Droughts, Conflicts Over Water (International & Inter-‐State).

2)      Energy Resources: Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources, Use of Alternate Energy Sources, Growing Energy Needs, Case Studies.

3)      Bio-Geographic Zones of India; Biodiversity Patterns and Global Biodiversity Hot Spots. India as a Mega Biodiversity Nation.

4)      Levels of Biological Diversity: Genetic, Species and Eco-System Diversity. Ecosystem and Biodiversity Services: Ecological, Economic, Social, Ethical, Aesthetic and Informational Value.

Unit-III

10 hrs

1)      Threats to Bio-Diversity: Habitat Loss, Poaching of Wild Life, Man-Wildlife Conflicts, Biological Invasions. Endangered and Endemic Species of India. Conservation of Biodiversity: In-Situ and Ex; Situ Conservation of Biodiversity.

2)      Environmental Pollution: Types, Causes, Effects and Controls.

3)      Air, Water, Soil and Noise Pollution. Nuclear Hazards and Human Health Risks.

4)      Solid Waste Management: Control Measures of Urban and Industrial Waste.