AC –

Item No. –
As Per NEP 2020

University of Mumbai

Syllabus for
Basket of VES
Board of Studies in Value Education
UG First Year Programme
Semester I

Title of Paper Credits 2

I) Environmental Management
& Sustainable Development -I

From the Academic Year 2024-25

Name of the Course: Environmental Management
& Sustainable Development -I

Sr.
Heading Particulars
No.
1 Description the course : Environmental awareness transcends academic
Including but Not limited to boundaries. This course transcends academic
: boundaries, equipping you with a foundational
understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the
human impact on natural resources and climate.
Students will learn about critical issues like pollution
and explore solutions for a sustainable future.

The knowledge you gain here connects with diverse

fields such as biology, economics, and even
engineering. It is a foundation for further exploration
in environmental science, conservation biology, and
environmental policy.

This course ignites your interest in environmental

issues and opens doors to exciting careers in
environmental management, conservation, and
sustainable development – fields with growing
demand across industries.

Prepare for an interactive learning experience through

engaging lectures, stimulating group discussions, and
insightful case studies examining real-world
environmental challenges and solutions.

2 Vertical : Open Elective

3 Type : Theory

2 credits / ( 1 credit = 15 Hours for Theory or 30

4 Credit:
Hours of Practical work in a semester )

5 Hours Allotted : 30 Hours

6 Marks Allotted: 50 Marks

7 Course Objectives:
1. To create and disseminate knowledge to the students about environmental
problems at local, regional and global scale.
2. To introduce about ecosystems, biodiversity and to make aware for the need of
conservation.
3. To sensitize students towards environmental concerns, issues, and impacts of
 human population.
4. To prepare students for successful career in environmental departments, research
institutes, industries, consultancy, and NGOs, etc.
8 Course Outcomes:
1. Use principles of Environmental Science for explaining sustainable development
and its related ethical concerns
2. Display scientific perspective for issues confronting our present day environment.
3. Analyze the national and global environmental issues relating air, water, soil, and
land use, biodiversity, and pollution.
4. Explain the Role of an individual in relation to human population and
environmental pollution.
9 Modules:-
Unit I: Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Conservation (8 lectures)
Introduction, structure, and function of ecosystems; Energy flow: food chains,
food webs and ecological succession. Case studies of the following:
a) Forest ecosystem
b) Grassland ecosystem
c) Desert ecosystem
d) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)
1. Levels of biological diversity : genetic, species and ecosystem diversity;
Biogeographic zones of India; Biodiversity patterns
2. India as a mega-biodiversity nation; Endangered and endemic species of India
3. Threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife
conflicts, biological invasions; Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ
conservation of biodiversity.
4. Ecosystem and biodiversity services: Ecological, economic, social, ethical,
aesthetic and Informational value.
Unit II: Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (7 lectures)
Overview of natural resources: Definition of resource; Classification of natural
resources- biotic and abiotic, renewable and non-renewable.
Biotic resources: Major type of biotic resources- forests, grasslands, wetlands,
wildlife and aquatic (fresh water and marine); Microbes as a resource; Status and
challenges.
Water resources: Types of water resources- fresh water and marine resources;
Availability and use of water resources; Environmental impact of over-exploitation,
issues and challenges; Water scarcity and stress; Conflicts over water.
Soil and mineral resources: Important minerals; Mineral exploitation; Environmental
problems due to extraction of minerals and use; Soil as a resource and its
degradation.
Energy resources: Sources of energy and their classification, renewable and non-
renewable sources of energy; Conventional energy sources- coal, oil, natural gas,
nuclear energy;

Non-conventional energy sources- solar, wind, tidal, hydro, wave, ocean thermal,
geothermal, biomass, hydrogen and fuel cells; Implications of energy use on the
environment.
Introduction to sustainable development: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-
 targets and indicators, challenges and strategies for SDGs.
Unit III: Human Communities and the Environment (8 lectures)
1. Human population growth: Impacts on environment, human health and welfare.
2. Resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected persons; case studies.
3. Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclones and landslides.
4. Environmental movements: Chipko, Silent valley, Bishnois of Rajasthan.
5. Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in
environmental conservation.
6. Environmental communication and public awareness, case studies (e.g. CNG
vehicles in Delhi).
Unit IV: Environmental Issues; Local, Regional, and Global (7 lectures)
Environmental issues and scales: Concepts of micro-, meso-, synoptic and planetary
scales; Temporal and spatial extents of local, regional, and global phenomena.
Pollution: Impact of sectoral processes on Environment, Types of Pollution- air,
noise, water, soil, municipal solid waste, hazardous waste; Transboundary air
pollution; Acid rain; Smog.
Land use and Land cover change: land degradation, deforestation, desertification,
urbanization.
Biodiversity loss: past and current trends, impact.
Global change: Ozone layer depletion; Climate change.
10 Text Books
1. Groom, Martha J., Gary K. Meffe, and Carl Ronald Carroll. Principles of
Conservation Biology. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates, 2006.
2. Odum, E.P., Odum, H.T. & Andrews, J. 1971. Fundamentals of Ecology.
Philadelphia: Saunders.
3. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. and Gupta, S.R. 2014. Ecology, Environmental Science
and Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi.
4. Chiras, D. D and Reganold, J. P. (2010). Natural Resource Conservation:
Management for a Sustainable Future.10th edition, Upper Saddle River, N. J.
Benjamin/Cummins/Pearson.
5. John W. Twidell and Anthony D. (2015). Renewable Energy Sources, 3rd
Edition, Weir Publisher (ELBS)
6. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. & Gupta, S.R. 2006. Ecology, Environment and
Resource Conservation. Anamaya Publications https://sdgs.un.org/goals
7. Down to Earth, Centre of Science and Environment ®.
8. Hawkins R. E., Encyclopedia of Indian Natural History, Bombay Natural
History Society, Bombay ®.
9. Harper, Charles L. (2017) Environment and Society, Human Perspectives on
Environmental Issues 6th Edition. Routledge.
10. Rajagopalan, R. (2011). Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure. India:
Oxford University Press.
11. Harris, Frances (2012) Global Environmental Issues, 2nd Edition. Wiley-
Blackwell.

11 Reference Books
1. Carson, R. 2002. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
2. Gadgil, M., & Guha, R. 1993. This Fissured Land: An Ecological History of India.
Univ. of California Press.
3. Gleeson, B. and Low, N. (eds.) 1999. Global Ethics and Environment, London,
Routledge.
4. Gleick, P. H. 1993. Water in Crisis. Pacific Institute for Studies in Dev., Environment &
Security. Stockholm Env. Institute, Oxford Univ. Press.
 5. Sodhi, N.S., Gibson, L. & Raven, P.H. (eds). 2013. Conservation Biology: Voices from
the Tropics. John Wiley & Sons.
6. Thapar, V. 1998. Land of the Tiger: A Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent.
7. Warren, C. E. 1971. Biology and Water Pollution Control. WB Saunders.
8. Wilson, E. O. 2006. The Creation: An appeal to save life on earth. New York: Norton.
9. World Commission on Environment and Development. 1987. Our Common Future.
Oxford University Press.
12 Internal Continuous Assessment: 40% Semester End Examination: 60%
13 Continuous Evaluation through:
Quizzes, Class Tests, presentation, project, role play,
creative writing, Visits, assignment etc. (at least 4)
14 Format of Question Paper: for the final examination
For OE: External - 30 Marks (2 Credits)
Internal - 20 Marks
Question Paper Format for 30 Marks
Format of Question Paper: 30 Marks per paper Semester End Theory Examination:

1. Duration - These examinations shall be of one hour duration.

2. Theory question paper pattern:
a. There shall be 04 questions each of 10 marks out of which students will attempt ANY
THREE

Signature:
Prof. Kavita Laghate
Chairman of Board of Studies in Value Education