Biodiversity and Wildlife

Paper Code: 
CENV 201
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to –

  1. Understand the importance of diversity at different levels of biological organization.
  2. Lay emphasis on the importance and conservation of biodiversity that will lead to sustaining life on earth.
  3. Acquaint with various concepts and issues related to biodiversity conservation at local, regional and global levels

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Course outcome

Learning         and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

 

CENV 201

 

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Upon completion of this

course, the students will:

CO09: Evaluate the vital role

of biodiversity/ wildlife and

critically examine the impact

of human activity on them

CO10: Relate to the need of

biodiversity conservation in

the Indian and global context

CO11: Analyze the role of international,                       national, and

state agencies and scientific

organizations,                           in                           the

conservation                           and

management of wildlife

CO12: Critically examine biodiversity/ wildlife and human linkages, and help in

policy formulation for conservation

Approach                         in teaching:

Lectures, Interactive sessions, Informative videos, Discussion on annual survey reports

Learning activities for the students: Map activity, Practical and                field-based learning,                 Learning

through                    memory game

Power           point presentation, Class Assignment, Model/Poster Making,                    Open book test, Google quiz

Class             Test,

Semester                      End Examination

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Biodiversity
  • Definition and Types – Genetic, Species and Ecosystem Diversity(α, β and γ)
  • Importance - ecological, consumptive, productive, social, ethical and aesthetic
  • Key Biodiversity areas; Biodiversity heritage sites
  • Hotspots and hope spots in India
  • Introduction to Ramsar convention, Ramsar sites in India

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Biodiversity Conservation
  • Causes of loss of Biodiversity
  • Extinction of species –causes; examples of extinct species in India
  • Methods of Conservation (in situ and ex situ)
  • In situ Conservation: National parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves, sacred groves, community and conservation reserves
  • Ex situ conservation: Germplasm collections, Botanical gardens, Seed banks, Gene banks, Pollen banks and DNA banks

 

10.00
Unit III: 
Introduction to Wildlife
  • Wildlife and Forests
  • Positive and negative values of wildlife
  • Wildlife habitats-Ecozones and faunal diversity
  • Causes of wildlife depletion
14.00
Unit IV: 
Wildlife Management and Conservation

  • Conservation projects- Project Tiger, Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Hoolock gibbon

  • Red Data Book and categories to evaluate-Extinct, Extinct in the wild, critically endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, least concerned, Data deficient and not Evaluated

  • Wildlife in Rajasthan- Names and locations of National Parks, tiger reserves and major sanctuaries

  • Common & Scientific names of

  • 20 animals/birds found in Rajasthan

  • State bird/animal/tree/flower of India

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Legal Aspects of Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation
  • Salient features of-
    • Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972
    • Biological Diversity Act, 2002
    • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
    • Man And Biosphere (MAB) programme

 

Essential Readings: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS

  • Bharucha, E.The Biodiversity of India. Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd.
  • Hossetti, B. B. Wildlife Management in India
  • Mathur, R. (2014).Wildlife Conservation and Management. Meerut: Rastogi Publications,
  • Kothari, A.(1997). Understanding Biodiversity. New Delhi: Orient Longman.
  • Jadhav, H and Bhosale, V.M. (1995). Environmental Protection and Laws.Himalaya Pub.

SUGGESTED READINGS

  • Agarwal, A. Narain, S. and Sharma, A. (Eds.) (1999).Global Environmental Negotiations I: Green Politics. New Delhi: Centre for Science and Environment.
  • Glowka, L. Guilmin, F. B. and Synge, H. (1994). A Guide to the Convention on Biological Diversity, IUCN Gland Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.
  • Groombridge, B. (1992).Global Biodiversity.Status of the earth’s Living Resources. London, UK: WCMC.
  • Hawkins, R. E. (1987).Encyclopedia of Indian Natural History. Bombay Natural History Society: OUP India
  • Heywood, V. H. and Waston, R.T. (1995). Global Biodiversity Assessment. Cambridge: Univ. Press.
  • UNESCO.(2002). Biosphere Reserves: Special places for people and nature.UNESCO, Paris.
  • Yvonne, W. (1999).Resource Material on Biodiversity for General Certificate of Education.Sri Lanka: IUCN.

 

References: 

JOURNALS

  • Biodiversity and Conservation
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation Biology
  • Biological Invasions
  • Journal of Wildlife Management

 

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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