ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Paper Code: 
ABFS 401
Credits: 
2
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Learning outcome

 (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

On the completion of this course, the students will be able to :

 

  1. Appraise the scope of Environmental studies, its application and relationship with other areas of life  Develop a comprehensive understanding of various ecological processes and environmental issues
  2. Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to the responsible use and conservation of natural resources in a rapidly changing world.
  3. Develop critical thinking for shaping strategies for environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity, social equity and sustainable development
  4. Evaluate the consequences of human actions on the environment and ways to prevent deterioration of environment
  5. Reflect critically on their roles, responsibilities, and identities as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world.

Approach in teaching: Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Practical cases Demonstration, Power point presentation.    

 Learning activities for the students:                              Self learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation, Live practical problems analysis

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

6.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Environment and Ecosystem

• Scope of Environmental Studies and its applications,
• Relationship of Environmental Studies with other subjects (Multidisciplinary nature of Environment),
• Concept of sustainability and sustainable development.
• Environmentally important dates and abbreviations
• Types of Ecosystems and their general characteristics
• Producers, consumers and decomposers
• Energy flow in the ecosystem
• Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids, Ecological Succession

6.00
Unit II: 
Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

• 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.
• Water : Use and over-exploitation of surface and ground water, floods, droughts
• Energy resources: Renewable and non-renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources, growing energy needs, case studies.

6.00
Unit III: 
Biodiversity and Conservation

• Levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity
• India as a mega-biodiversity nation; Biogeographic zones of India
• Biodiversity patterns and global biodiversity hot spots
• Endangered and endemic species of India,Threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts, biological invasions
• Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity
• Names of International and National agencies related to biodiversity conservation

6.00
Unit IV: 
Environmental Pollution

• Types, Causes, effects and control measures of : Air pollution; Water pollution; Soil pollution; Noise pollution, Pollution case studies
• Solid waste management: Control measures of urban and industrial waste.
• Nuclear hazards and human health risks
• Global environmental issues: Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture
• Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act,1986; Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Forest Conservation Act, 1980
• International agreements: Montreal protocol, Kyoto protocol and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

6.00
Unit V: 
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, Bishnois of Rajasthan
• Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in environmental conservation
• Environmental communication and public awareness, case studies (e.g., CNG vehicles in Delhi)

Essential Readings: 

• John A Matthews, Encyclopaedia of Environmental Change. Agarwal, K. C. (2001). Environmental Biology. Bikaner: Nidhi Publication Ltd.
• Barucha, E. (2004). The Biodiversity of India. Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd.
• Begon, C. a. (2006). Essentials of Ecology. Blackwell.
• Belsare, D. K. (2007). Introduction to Biodiversity. APH Publishing Corporation.
• Bhatia, A. L., & Kohli, K. S. (2015). Ecology and Environmental Biology. RBD publishing house.

References: 

SUGGESTED READING:
• De, A. K. (2003). Environmental Chemistry (5th Ed.). New Age Intl. (p) Ltd.
• Miller, G. T. (2013). Environmental Science. Cengage Larning.
• Odum, E. (1971). Fundamentals of Ecology. W.B. Saunders Co. USA.
• Prabu, P. (2009). Ecology and environmental Science. Avinash Paperbacks.
• Rajagopalan, R. (2005). Environmetnal Studies. Oxford University Press.
• Santra, S. (2011). Environmental Science. New Central Book Agency Pvt. Ltd.
• Sharma, P. D. (2008). Ecology and Environment. Rastogi Publications.
• Singh, S. (1991). Environmental Geography. Prayag Pustak Bhawan.
• Srivastava, K. (2002). An Introduction to Environmental Studies. Kalyani Publishers.
E- Resources:
• Swayam: https://swayam.gov.in/
• NPTEL: http://nptel.ac.in/
• DIKSHA: https://diksha.gov.in/
• E-Skill India: https://www.eskillindia.org/
• National Digital Library: https://ndl.iitkgp.ac.in/
• E-Pathshala: https://ndl.iitkgp.ac.in/
• e-PG Pathshala: https://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/
• Sakshat: https://www.education.gov.in/en/technology-enabled-learning-1
Journals:
• The International Journal of Environmental Research
• Journal of environmental biology.
• Journal of Environmental Management
• Environmental International
• Global Change Biology
• Annual Review of Environment and Resources

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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