Environmental Studies - Syllabus
Credit Units: 03 Total Contact Hours: 45
Course Contents:
Module Details Contact
Hours
1 Introduction to environmental studies 2
● Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies;
components of environment – atmosphere, hydrosphere,
lithosphere and biosphere.
● Scope and importance;
● Concept of sustainability and sustainable development.
2 Ecosystems 6
What is an ecosystem? Structure and function of ecosystem; Energy
flow in an ecosystem: food chain, food web 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)
3 Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-renewable 8
Resources
● Land Resources and land use 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).
● Heating of earth and circulation of air; air mass formation and
precipitation.
● Energy resources: Renewable and non-renewable energy
sources, use of alternate energy sources, growing energy
needs, case studies.
4 Biodiversity and Conservation 8
● Levels of biological diversity :genetic, species and ecosystem
diversity;
● Biogeography zones of India; Biodiversity patterns and global
biodiversity hotspots
● 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.
5 Environmental Pollution 8
● Environmental pollution: types, causes, effects and controls;
Air, water, soil, chemical and noise pollution
● Nuclear hazards and human health risks
● Solid waste management: Control measures of urban and
industrial waste
● Pollution case studies
6 Environmental Policies & Practices 7
● 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 conservation on Biological Diversity
(CBD). The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
● Nature reserves, tribal population and rights, and human,
wildlife conflicts in Indian context
7 Human Communities and the Environment 6
● Human population and growth: Impacts on environment,
human health and welfares.
● Carbon foot-print.
● Resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected persons;
case studies.
● Disaster management: floods, earthquakes, cyclones and
landslides.
● Environmental movements: Chipko, Silent valley, Bishnios 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).
8 Case Studies 5
● Study of common plants, insects, birds and basic principles
of identification.
● Study of simple ecosystems-pond, river, Delhi Ridge, etc.
