Environmental Science

Paper Code: 
AENV 200
Credits: 
2
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Inspite of the deteriorating status of the environment, study of environment has so far not received adequate attention in our academic programmes. This programme aims at giving students a clear understanding of environmental concerns and to follow sustainable development practices. It will also help to stimulate them to develop their ability to apply their knowledge and adopt a standpoint on environmental issues

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
5.00
Unit II: 
Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-renewable Resources
  • Land resources and landuse 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
  •  
8.00
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)
5.00
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: 
  • 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.
Academic Year: 
2017-2018
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version