SYLLABUS OF COURSE: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
FULL MARKS: 100
This
syllabus for Environmental Studies aims to enhance a learner’s knowledge,
skills and attitudes to environment. This course, which is structured into five
blocks, covers different aspects of the environment: natural resources,
eco-system, biodiversity, environmental pollution and social issues related to
environment. A learner, while reading the theoretical part, is expected that
he/she would by himself/herself move out of the scope of the text book into the
realm of real learning amidst his/her own environment.
Unit 1: Introduction To Environmental
Studies & Natural Resources 20
Marks
Ø Definition,
Scope and Importance of Environment Studies.
Ø Renewal
and Non-Renewable Resources.
a) Forest
resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, Timber extraction, mining,
dams their effects on forests and tribal people.
b) Water
resources: Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, floods,
drought, conflicts over water, dam’s benefits and problems.
c) Mineral
resources: Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using
mineral resources.
d) Food
resources: World food problems, Changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing,
effect of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging,
salinity.
e) Energy
resources: Growing energy needs renewable and non-renewable energy sources, use
of alternate energy sources.
f) Land
resources: Land as resource; Land degradation, man induced landslides, soil erosion
and desertification.
Ø Role
of an individual in Conservation of Natural Resources.
Ø Need
for Public awareness & equitable use of resources for sustainable
lifestyle.
Unit 2: Eco-system 20
Marks
Ø Concept
of an ecosystem; its structure and function.
Ø Producers,
Consumers and Decomposers.
Ø Energy
flow in ecosystem and ecological succession.
Ø Food
Chain, Food webs and ecological pyramids.
Ø Introduction,
types characteristic features, structure and function of the following
ecosystem –
a) Forest
ecosystem.
b) Grassland
ecosystem.
c) Desert
ecosystem.
d) Aquatic
ecosystem.
Unit 3: Biodiversity, Its Conservation 20
Marks
Ø
Introduction – Definition: genetic, species and
ecosystem diversity.
Ø
Bio-geographical classification of India &
hot-sports of biodiversity in India.
Ø
Value of Biodiversity: Consumptive use,
productive use, social ethical, aesthetic and option values.
a) Threats
to Bio-diversity: Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man wild life conflicts.
b) Endangered
and endemic species of India.
Ø Conservation
of Bio-diversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of Bio-diversity.
Unit 4: Environmental Pollution 20
Marks
Ø
Definition – Causes, effects and control
measures of
a) Air
Pollution.
b) Water
Pollution.
c) Soil
Pollution.
d) Marine
Pollution.
e) Noise
Pollution.
f) Thermal
Pollution.
g) Nuclear
Hazards.
Ø Solid
Waste Management: Causes, effects and control measures of Urban and Industrial
wastes.
Ø Role
of an Individual in prevention of pollution.
Ø Disaster
Management: Food, earthquake, Cyclone and Landslides.
Unit 5: Social Issues and the Environment 20 Marks
Ø From
Unsustainable to Sustainable development.
Ø Water
conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management.
Ø Resettlement
and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concern.
Ø Environmental
ethics: Issue and possible solutions.
Ø Climate
change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion.
Ø Population
Growth, variation among nation; Population explosion – Family Welfare
Programme; women and Child welfare.
Ø Environment
and human health and hygiene (sanitation, HIV/AIDS etc.
Ø Role
of Information Technology in Environment and Human health.
REFERENCES;:
1. Kalita,
Dr. Mahanta K. Introduction to Environmental Studies, Asian Books Pvt. Ltd.
2. Sharma,
Dr. J. P. Comprehensive Environmental Studies for Undergraduate Classes, Laxmi
Publication.
3. Dara,
S. S. A Textbook of Environmental Chemistry & Pollution Control, S. Chand.
4. Agarwal,
K. C. 2001 Environmental Biology, NIdi Publication Ltd. Bikaner.
5. Bharucha
Erach, The Biodiversity of India, Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Ahmedabad.
6. Hawkins,
R. E. Encyclopedia of Indian Natural History, Bombay Natural History Society,
Bombay.
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