NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

Paper Code: 
ENV 122
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course lays emphasis on equitable and efficient distribution of natural resources and its management for sustainable development

12.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Natural Resources
  • Definition and classification(based on continual utility, origin and Utility)
  • Natural resources and associated problems(Population explosion, urbanization industrialization)
  • Conservation and equitable use  of Natural Resources for Sustainable Development

 

15.00
Unit II: 
Water Resource

Sources of fresh water:  surface water and ground water.

Importance and availability of fresh water

·Causes of water stress: population expansion, urbanization, industrialization, over utilization,  pollution

· Methods of water conservation: Watershed Management and rain water harvesting methods

·Traditional methods of water conservation in Rajasthan (Talab/Bandhis, Johads, Baoris/Jhalaras, water temples/step wells, Kunds)

 

15.00
Unit III: 
Mineral Resources and Mine land Reclamation

                                                                       

  • Types and uses of mineral resources: Metallic and non metallic

  • Mineral wealth of Rajasthan(Marble,Mica,Copper)
  • Environmental impact of exploitation, processing and smelting of minerals
  • Types of mine reclamation practices; Revegetation of mine spoils through plant fertilization and related practices

 

 

  • Soil profile and classification
  •  Soil degradation(Physical and Chemical)
  •  Methods of Soil conservation
  •  Forest resources of India(Types and forest cover)
  • Causes of forest degradation
  • Forest conservation measures: Sacred groves, National Forest Policy, Forest Act, Joint Forest Management
  •  Types and classification of Deserts
  • Causes of desertification

 

18.00
Unit V: 
Energy Resources

 

  • Energy resources and their exploitation
  • Conventional energy resources: fossil fuels-coal, oil and natural gas, Hydroelectric power, nuclear energy
  • Non-conventional energy resources: Ocean thermal energy conversion, wind, tidal, geothermal energy, biomass, solar energy
  • Alternate Energy sources: hydrogen ,fuel cells, alcohol, petroplants, biodiesel,  biogas
Essential Readings: 
  • Ahmaob, I, and Deloman, J. (1995) Beyond Rio, MacMillan.
  • Our Common Future, Report of the OECD (1987) Oxford University Press.
  • Khanna, Gopesh Nath (1990) Environment Problems and the United Nations, Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi.
  • Agarwal, Anil, Narain, Sunita and Sharma, Anju (Eds.) (1999) Global Environmental Negotiations I: Green Politics, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi.
  • Field, B. (199ss   Encyclopaedia of  Environment: Environmental Problems and Policies Vol. I & II, 2005, New Delhi: Anmol Publications
  • Owen, S., Natural Resources Conservation]
  • Study Material(Handbooks) of Sikkim Manipal University for Science Health and Technology for the Degree of Post Graduation in Ecology and Environment

 

 

 

 

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