Syllabus
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Course Code: AEC-22 Course Name: Environmental Studies |
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| MODULE NO / UNIT | COURSE SYLLABUS CONTENTS OF MODULE | NOTES |
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| 1 | Introduction to environmental studies: Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies; Scope and importance; Concept of sustainability and sustainable development. Ecosystems: What is an ecosystem? Structure and function of ecosystem; Energy flow in an ecosystem: food chains, food webs, and ecological succession. Case studies of the following ecosystems: a) Forest ecosystem, b) Grassland ecosystem, c) Desert ecosystem, d) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries) | |
| 2 | Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-renewable Resources • Land resources and landuse change; Land degradation, soil erosion and desertification • Deforestation: Causes and impacts due to mining, dam building on environment, forests, biodiversity and tribal populations • Water: Use and over-exploitation of surface and ground water, floods, droughts, conflicts over water (international & inter-state) • Energy resources: Renewable and non-renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources, growing energy needs, case studies Biodiversity and Conservation • Levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity; Biogeographic zones of India; Biodiversity patterns and global biodiversity hot spots • India as a mega-biodiversity nation; Endangered and endemic species of India • Threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts, biological invasions; Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity • Ecosystem and biodiversity services: Ecological, economic, social, ethical, aesthetic, and Informational value |
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| 3 | Environmental Pollution • Environmental pollution: types, causes, effects and controls; Air, water, soil and noise pollution • Nuclear hazards and human health risks • Solid waste management: Control measures of urban and industrial waste, Pollution case studies Environmental Policies & Practices • Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture • Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act; Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act; Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act; Wildlife Protection Act; Forest Conservation Act. International agreements: Montreal and Kyoto protocols and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) • Nature reserves, tribal populations and rights, and human wildlife conflicts in Indian context |
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| 4 | Human Communities and the Environment • Human population growth: Impacts on environment, human health and welfare • Resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected persons; case studies • Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclones and landslides • Environmental movements: Chipko, Silent valley, Bishnois of Rajasthan • Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in environmental conservation • Environmental communication and public awareness, case studies (e.g., CNG vehicles in Delhi) • Drugs and their effects; Useful and harmful drugs; Use and abuse of drugs; Stimulant and depressant drugs. Concept of drug de-addiction. Legal position on drugs and laws related to drugs |
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| 5 | Practical/Field work
Visit to an area to document environmental assets: river/ forest/ flora/fauna, etc. • Visit to a local polluted site-Urban/Rural/Industrial/Agricultural • Study of common plants, insects, birds and basic principles of identification • Study of simple ecosystems-pond, river, Delhi Ridge, etc. |
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