FST 104/1044  ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Unit-I

The Multi disciplinary nature of Environment studies. Definition Scope and importance, Need for public awareness.

Unit-II

 Natural Resources.

Renewable and non-renewable resources.

Natural resources and associated problems,

a-      Forest resources; use and over-exploitation. Deforestation. Case studies. Timber extraction. Mining. dams and their effects on forest and tribal people.

b-      Water resources; use and over-utilization of surface and ground water floods drought, conflicts over water, dams benefits and problems.

c-      Mineral resources; use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, case studies.

d-     Food recourses; world food problems, changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticides problems, water logging, salinity, case studies.

e-      Energy resources’ growing energy need. Renewable and non-renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources, case studies.

f-       Land resources; land as a resource, land degradation, man induced landslides. Soil erosion and desertification.

-          Role of an individual in conservation of natural recourses.

-          Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles.

Unit-III

Ecosystems

-          Concept of an ecosystem.

-          Structure and function of an ecosystem

-          Producers. Consumers and decomposers.

-          Energy flow in the ecosystem.

-          Ecological succession.

-          Food chains. Food weds and ecological pyramids.

-          Introduction types characteristics feature, structure and function of following ecosystems:-

1. Forest ecosystems.

2. Grassland  ecosystems.

3. Desert ecosystems.

4. Aquatic ecosystems(pond, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries).

Unit-IV

Biodiversity and its Conservation

-          Introduction- Definition; gemetics, species and ecosystems diversity.

-          Biogeographically classification of India.

-          Value of biodiversity; consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values.

-          Biodiversity at Global level, National and local levels.

-          India as a mega-diversity nation.

-          Hot-spot of Biodiversity.

-          Threats to biodiversity; habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man wildlife conflicts.

-          Endangered and endemic species of India.

-          Conservation of Biodiversity; In situ and conservation of biodiversity.

Unit-V

Environmental Pollution

Definition; Causes, Effect and control measures of ;-

Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Marine pollution, Noise pollution, Thermal pollution, Nuclear pollution.

Soil waste management: Causes effected and control measures of urban and industrial wastes. Role of an individual in prevention of pollution. Pollution case studies. Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides.

Unit-VI

Social Issue and the Environment

-                   From unsustainable to sustainable development.

-                   Urban problems related to energy.

-                   Water conservation. Rain water harvesting. Watershed management.

-                   Resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concern, Case studies.

-                   Climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust, Case studies.

-                   Wasteland reclamation.

-                   Consumerism and waste product.

-                   Environment protection act.

-                   Air (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act.

-                   Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.

-                   Wildlife protection Act.

-                   Forest Conservation Act. Public Awareness.

Unit-VII

Human Population and the Environment

-          Population growth, variation among nations.

-          Population explosion- Family Welfare program.

-          Environment and Human Health.

-          Human Right. Value Education. HIV/AIDS.Women and Child Welfare.

-          Role of information Technology in Environment and Human Health. Case studies.

Unit-VII

-          Visit to a local area to document environmental assets -river/forest/grassland/hill/mountain.

-          Visit to local pollute site-Urban/Rural/Industrial/Agriculture.

-          Study of common plants. Insects. Birds.

-          Study of simple ecosystems-pond, river. Hill slopes, etc.

-          Assignment. Herbarium etc.

REFERENCES

1.      Ecology and Environment –Benu Singh.

2.      Environment  Studies – Suresh Kumar Dhameja.

3.      Text Book of Environment Science –Anil Kumar Dey.