CS1221: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

SYLLABUS

Module I: Environmental Studies – Introduction, Multidisciplinary nature, Scope and importance, Concept of sustainability and sustainable development. Ecosystems – Structure, function, Energy flow, food chains, food webs and ecological succession, Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert ecosystem, Aquatic ecosystems, Natural Resources -Renewable and Non--‐renewable Resources, Land resources and use, land degradation, soil erosion and desertification, Deforestation - Causes and impacts due to mining, dam building on environment, forests, biodiversity and tribal populations, Water: Use and over--‐exploitation of surface and ground water, floods, droughts, conflict over water - international & interstate, Energy resources- renewable and non-renewable, use of alternate energy sources, growing energy needs.

Module II: Biodiversity and Conservation - Levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity; Bio geographic zones of India; Biodiversity patterns and global biodiversity hot spots, endangered and endemic species of India, Threats - habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man‐wildlife conflicts, biological invasions; Conservation of biodiversity: In‐situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity, Eco-system and bio-diversity services: Ecological, economic, social, ethical, aesthetic and Informational value.

Module III: Environmental Pollution - Environmental pollution: types, causes, effects and controls; Air, water, soil and noise pollution, Nuclear hazards and human health risks, Solid waste management: Control measures of urban and industrial waste, Pollution case studies. Environmental
Policies & Practices - Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture, Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act; Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act; Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act; Wildlife Protection Act; Forest Conservation Act. Nature reserves, tribal populations and rights, and human wild life conflicts in Indian context.Policies & Practices - Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture, Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act; Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act; Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act; Wildlife Protection Act; Forest Conservation Act. Nature reserves, tribal populations and rights, and human wild life conflicts in Indian context.

Module IV: Human Communities and the Environment – Human population growth: Impacts on environment, human health and welfare., Resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected persons; case studies., Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclones and landslides., Environmental movements: Chipko Silent valley, Bishno is of Rajasthan., Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in environmental conservation., Environmental communication and public awareness, Fire & safety:Fire Detection Systems, Fire Control Systems, Care, maintenance, and Inspection.

BOOK:

Text book for Environmental Studies for undergraduate courses of all branches of Higher Education.