Syllabus
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Course Code: B-EVS 100 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. |
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| 2 | 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) Forestecosystem b) Grasslandecosystem c) Desertecosystem d) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries) |
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| 3 | 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 |
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| 4 | 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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| 5 | 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. |
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| 6 | 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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| 7 | 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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| 8 | 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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