The course aims to provide students with knowledge about natural and disrupted systems in the natural world, and to stimulate them to develop their ability to apply their knowledge and adopt a standpoint on environmental issues.
5.00
Unit I:
Biodiversity and its conservation
Introduction: Definition, genetic, species and ecosystem diversity
Values of Biodiversity: Consumptive use, productive use, social, esthetic and optional values
Threats to biodiversity- Habitat loss, poaching of wild life
8.00
Unit II:
Natural Resources
Definition (Renewable and non renewable)
Natural resources and associated problems:
Forest Resources- Use and over-exploitation, deforestation
Water Resources- Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water
Land Resources- Land degradation; Soil erosion and desertification.
Mineral resources: Use and exploitation, and its effects
3.00
Unit III:
Global Environmental Issues
Acid Rain
Ozone Depletion
Global Warming & Climate Change
8.00
Unit IV:
Environmental Education and Awareness
Environmental Movements
Chipko movement
Appikko movement
Narmada Bachao Aandolan
Water conservation
Tips to save water
Rainwater harvesting
Watershed management
6.00
Unit V:
Human Population and Environment
Population growth and explosion
Impact of urbanization, industrialization and crop production
Essential Readings:
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.
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.