Natural Resource Conservation and Management

Paper Code: 
ENV 122
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course objectives:

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

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ENV 122

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Resource Conservation and Management

Upon completion of this course students will: CO7: Support sustainability and make it as a practice in life, society and industry CO8:           Develop    an objective    view    of the nature        of                    Earth’s resources, particularly the non-renewable resources CO9: Appraise the skills of extraction      of                  earth’s resources and explain how these    activities               impact Earth’s environment

CO10:                     Develop perspectives           on sustainability by looking into different ways of conservation of the natural resources and their management

CO11: Evaluate the holistic issues related to natural resources and sustainable development

CO12: Evaluate and identify the problems related to the extraction of common minerals & major rock types

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

 

8.00
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
11.00
Unit II: 
Water Resources
  • Sources of fresh water: surface water (Fresh and Marine) and Ground water (Connate Water, Juvenile Water and Meteoric 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/Bandhs, Johads, Baoris/Jhalaras, water temples/step wells, Kunds)
12.00
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 of minerals
  • Types of mine reclamation practices; Revegetation of mine spoils through plant fertilization and related practices
14.00
Unit IV: 
Land Resources
  • 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, Joint Forest Management
  • Types and classification of Deserts
  • Causes of desertification
15.00
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, solar energy
  • Alternate Energy sources: hydrogen,fuel cells, alcohol, petroplants, biodiesel, biogas
Essential Readings: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS

  • Owen, O.S, Chiras, D.D, and Reganold, J.P. (1998). Natural Resource Conservation – Management for Sustainable Future (7th edition). Prentice Hall.
  • Mays, L.W. (2006). Water Resources Sustainability. The McGraw-Hill Publications.
     

SUGGESTED READINGS

  • Craig, J.R., Vaughan. D.J. and Skinner. B.J. (1996). Resources of the Earth: Origin, Use, and Environmental Impacts (2nd edition). Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
  • Freeman, A.M. (2001). Measures of value and Resources: Resources for the Future. Washington DC.
  • Klee, G.A. (1991). Conservation of Natural Resources. Prentice Hall Publication.
  • Miller, T.G. (2012). Environmental Science. Wadsworth Publishing Co.
  • 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.

 

        e-RESOURCES

 

JOURNALS

  • Journal of Natural Resources
  • Journal of Natural Resources and Development
  • Society and Natural Resources
Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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