Natural Resource Conservation and Management

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

This course will enable the students to -

  1. Learn ecological principles, policies, and practices required for natural resources management and conservation
  2. Promote the conservation and protection of natural resources and guide the acceptable use of resources
  3. Lay emphasis on equitable and efficient distribution of natural resources and its management for sustainable development

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Course outcome

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment   Strategies

Paper

Code

Paper Title

GENV 201

Natural

Resource Conservation

and

Management

Upon completion of this course students will:

CO 1: Appraise the skills of extraction of earth’s resources and explain how these activities impact Earth’s environment

CO 2: Evaluate the holistic

issues related to natural

resources and sustainable development

CO3: Evaluate the vital role of biodiversity/ wildlife and critically examine the impact of human action on them

CO4: Relate to the need of biodiversity conservation in

Indian and global context

Approach in teaching: Model/Poster making Group discussions Lectures

Slide Presentations

Learning activities

for the students: Multiple choice question preparation,

Field activities Simulation, Case studies

Power Point Presentation, Open Book Test, Map preparation, Class Test Semester End Examination

 

7.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Natural Resources
  • Classification-Based on Chemical nature, Availability/Abundance, Occurrence, Origin, Utility
  • Natural resources and associated problems (Population explosion, urbanization industrialization)
  • Sustainable Development- Concept and Basic aspects

 

15.00
Unit II: 
Land and Mineral Resources

Land Resources:

  • Soil Profile, Major types of soil in India, Soil degradation and its   conservation
  • Forest types and their distribution in India, causes of forest degradation and conservation methods

Mineral Resources

  • Types and uses of mineral resources
  • Mineral wealth of Rajasthan (Marble, Mica, Copper)
  • Mining: Definition, types and environmental impacts

 

11.00
Unit III: 
Water Resources
  • Sources of Surface water (Fresh and Marine) and Ground water (Connate Water, Juvenile Water and Meteoric Water)
  • Concept of Confined, unconfined and Perched aquifers
  • Causes of water stress: population expansion, urbanization, industrialization, over utilization, pollution
  • Methods of Water conservation: Watershed management, Rainwater harvesting (Urban and Traditional methods)

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Energy resources
  • Classification of energy resources: Conventional and Non-conventional
  • Fossil fuels: classification, composition, physico-chemical characteristics and energy content of coal, petroleum and natural gas
  • Basic principles of generation of Hydroelectric power, Ocean thermal energy conversion, wind energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, solar energy

 

15.00
Unit V: 
Biotic resources
  • Types (Genetic, Species and Ecosystem Diversity (α, β and γ)), importance of  Biodiversity
  • Threats to biodiversity
  • Concept of Hotspots and Hope spots in India
  • Strategies of biodiversity conservation: in situ andex situ conservation
  • National parks, Sanctuaries, and Biosphere reserves in India.
  • Traditional way of biodiversity conservation: Sacred groves

 

Essential Readings: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS

  • Mishra, S. P. and Pandey, S. N. (2018). Essential Environmental Studies. Ane books
  • Siddhartha, K. (2017). Indian The Physical Aspects. K’Sagar Publications, Pune, Maharashtra.
  • Miller, T.G. (2012). Environmental Science. Wadsworth Publishing Co.
  • Sharma, P. D. (2017). Ecology and Environment. Rastogi Publications.
  • Sawhney, G. S. (2012). Non-Conventional Energy Resources. PHI Learning Private Limited, New Delhi.
  • Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. and Gupta, S.R. (2017). Ecology, Environmental Science and Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi.     

 SUGGESTED READINGS

  • Ginley, D.S. and Cahen, D. (2011). Fundamentals of Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability. Cambridge University Press.
  • Klee, G.A. (1991). Conservation of Natural Resources. Prentice Hall Publication.
  • Miller, T.G. (2012). Environmental Science. Wadsworth Publishing Co.
  • Ramade, F. (1984). Ecology of Natural Resources. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
  • Tiwari, G.N. and Ghosal. M. K. (2005). Renewable Energy Resources: Basic Principles and Application. Narosa Publishing House.
  • Bansil, P.C. (2004). Water Management in India. Concept Publishing Company, India.
  • CEA. (2011). Water Resources and Power Maps of India. Central Board of Irrigation and Power.
  • Dwivedi, R. M. (2011). Energy Sources and Policies in India. New Century Publications.
  • Schward and Zhang, (2003). Fundamentals of Groundwater. John Willey and Sons.
  • Vickers, A. (2001). Handbook of Water Use and Conservation. WaterPlow Press.

 

References: 

e- RESOURCES

JOURNALS

  • Natural Resources Research
  • Environment and Natural Resources Journal
  • Journal of Natural Resources
  • Journal of Natural Resources and Development
  • Society and Natural Resources journal

 

Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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