Biodiversity and Wildlife

Paper Code:

25CENV 201

Credits:

Contact Hours:

60.00

Max. Marks:

100.00

Objective:

This course will enable the students to –

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

Course Outcomes:

Course	Course outcomes	Learning and teaching strategies	Assessment Strategies
Course Code	Course Title
25CENV 201	Biodiversity and Wildlife	Upon completion of this course, the students will: CO12: Evaluate different types of biodiversity and their importance in various contexts CO13: Appraise the causes of biodiversity loss and extinction of species and critically evaluate strategies to mitigate these factors CO14: Appraise the diverse wildlife habitats, values and factors leading to wildlife depletion CO15: Analyze the role of international, national, and state agencies and scientific organizations, in the conservation and management of wildlife CO16: Critically examine biodiversity/ wildlife and human linkages, and help in policy formulation for conservation CO17: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction	Approach to 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	Powerpoint presentation, Class Assignment, Model/Poster Making, Open book test, Google quiz Class Test, Semester End Examination

Course

Course outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25CENV 201

Biodiversity and Wildlife

Upon completion of this

course, the students will:

CO12: Evaluate different types of biodiversity and their importance in various contexts

CO13: Appraise the causes of biodiversity loss and extinction of species and critically evaluate strategies to mitigate these factors

CO14: Appraise the diverse wildlife habitats, values and factors leading to wildlife depletion

CO15: Analyze the role of international, national, and

state agencies and scientific

organizations, in the

conservation and

management of wildlife

CO16: Critically examine biodiversity/ wildlife and human linkages, and help in policy formulation for conservation

CO17: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach to 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

Powerpoint 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:

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.