| Lectures: 4 Periods/Week | Sessional Marks: 30 |
| University Exam: 3 Hours | University Examination Marks: 70 |
UNIT-I
Introduction:
Definition, Scope and Importance.
Ecosystems:
Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and functions of Ecosystems, Forest, Grassland, Desert, Aquatic (lakes, rivers and
estuaries).
Natural Resources:
Land resources:
Land as a resource, Common property resources, land degradation, soil erosion and desertification and Effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer,
pesticide problems.
Forest Resources:
Use and over-exploitation, Mining and dams, their effects on forests and tribal people.
Water Resources:
Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, floods and drought, Water logging and salinity, Dams - benefits and costs, Conflicts over
water.
Energy resources:
Energy needs, Renewable and non-renewable energy sources, Use of alternate energy sources.
UNIT-II
Biodiversity and its Conservation:
Value of biodiversity, consumptive and productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values. Bio-geographical classification of India,
India as a mega-diversity habitat.
Threats to bio-diversity:
Hot spots, habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, loss of species, seeds, etc. conservation of biodiversity - In-situ and Ex-situ conservation.
Environmental Pollution:
Causes, effects and control measures of Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Marine pollution, Noise pollution, Solid waste
management, composting and vermiculture, Urban and industrial wastes, recycling and re-use.
UNIT-III
Sustainability:
Theory and practice, equitable use of resources for sustainable life styles.
Rain water harvesting, cloud seeding and watershed management, Water scarcity and ground water depletion.
Controversies on major dams:
Resettlement and rehabilitation of people, problems and concerns. Nature of thermal pollution and nuclear hazards, Global warming, Acid rain, Ozone
depletion. Green revolution. Population growth and environment. Environmental Impact Assessment.
UNIT-IV
Environmental acts:
Water (Prevention and Control of pollution) act, Air (Prevention and Control of pollution) act, Environmental protection act, Wild life
protection act, Forest Conservation act.
International Conventions:
Stockholm Conference 1972 and Earth Summit 1992
Case Studies:
Chipko movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Silent Valley Project, Madhura Refinery and Taj Mahal, Chernobyl Nuclear Diaster, Tehri Dam, Ralegaon
Siddhi (Anne Hazare), Florosis and Bhopal Tragedy.
Field work:
Visit to a local area to document environmental assets - river/ forest/ grassland / hill /mountain.
Study of local environment: common plants, insects, birds.
Study of simple ecosystems - pond, river, hill, slopes etc.
Visits to industries, water treatment plants, effluent treatment plants
Text Books