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 option 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: (a) Forest Resources- Use and over-exploitation, deforestation and its effects (b) Water Resources- Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water and its effects (c) Land Resources- Land degradation; Soil erosion and desertification. d) Mineral resources: Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting mineral resources
3.00
Unit III:
Global Environmental Issues
Acid Rain
Ozone Depletion
Global Warming
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:
Bharucha Erach, The Biodiversity of India, Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad –380 013, India, Email:mapin@icenet.net