Syllabus (ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE)

Course Type: VAC-1

Semester: 1

Course Code: BVACENV01T

Course Title: ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

(L-P-Tu): 2-2-0

Credit: 4

Practical/Theory: Theory

Course Objective: To develop Basic concept and awareness on environment, different environmental issues To develop understanding of Natural resources, ecology ecosystem, To impart knowledge on biodiversity and its conservation  To enhance knowledge about envir

Learning Outcome: This compulsory paper has been introduced to produce general awareness regarding Environment, its problems, possible management processes, basic need for environmental studies, practical knowledge of environment related project works etc. among students

Unit 1: Basics of Environmental Studies: (05)

Definition, Nature, Scope and Importance; Components of environment: Environmental education

Unit 2: Natural Resources: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources (10)

Nature and natural resources their conservation and associated problems:

• Forest resources: Uses, types and importance, Joint Forest Management & Tribal population, Deforestation and its effects
• Water resources: Distribution of water on Earth; Use, over exploitation of surface and ground water; Dams: Benefits and problems; Flood and Drought
• Mineral resources: Mineral resources in India; Use and exploitation, Social impacts of mining
• Food resources: World food problems and food insecurities.
• Energy resources: Renewable and Nonrenewable energy sources; Use of alternate energy sources - Case studies
• Land resources: Land as a resource; Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion, desertification
• Use of resources for sustainable development

Unit 3: Ecology and Ecosystems (08)

Concept of ecology, Population ecology, Community ecology

• Concept of an ecosystem, different types of ecosystem
• Food chains, food weds and ecological succession
• Energy flow in the ecosystem and energy flow models

Unit 4: Biodiversity and its conservation (08)

Biodiversity: Levels of biological diversity

• Values of biodiversity
• Hot-Spots of biodiversity, Mega-biodiversity countries
• Threat to biodiversity
• Threatened and endemic species of India
• Conservation of biodiversity (In- situ and Ex-situ)
• Ecosystem services: Ecological, Economic, Social, Ethical, Aesthetical and Informational values

Unit 5: Environmental Pollution and Management (08)

(a) Nature, Causes, Effects and Control measures of – Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil pollution, Noise pollution

(b) Solid waste management: Causes, effects and disposal methods; Management of biomedical and municipal solid wastes

Disaster management: Floods, Earthquake, Cyclone and Landslides

Unit 6: Environmental Policies and Practices (10) Constitutional Provisions for protecting environment- Article 48 (A), 51A (g)

• Environmental Laws: The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
• The wildlife Protection Act, 1972
• Climate change, Global warming, ENSO, Acid rain, Ozone layer depletion; Montreal and Kyoto Protocols

Unit 7: Human Communities and Environment (06)

• Human population growth; Impacts on environment
• Environment and human health: Concept of health and disease; Common communicable and Non- communicable diseases; Public awareness
• Environment movements in India: Chipko Movements, Silent Valley Movement, Narmada Banchao Aandolan.

Unit 8: Field Work Report/Project Report/Term paper (based on any one of the following topics and to be evaluated by internal teachers only) (05)

• Environmental assets - River/Forest/Grassland/Hill/Mountain etc.
• Environmental pollution - Urban/Rural/Industrial/Agricultural
• Study of common Plants/Insect /Birds/Wild life etc.
• Study of simple ecosystems: Pond/River/Hill slope etc.

Suggested Books

1. 1. Environmental Science: S.C. Santra, New Central Book Agency
   2. Ecology and Environment: P.D. Sharma., Rastogi Publication.
   3. Fundamentals of Environmental Studies-Mahua Basu (Cambridge University Press)
   4. Agrawal, Sikdar and Deb (2002): A Text book of Environment; MacMillan
   5. Textbook of Environmental Studies: Erach Bharucha; University Grants Commission; University Press2013
   6. Environmental Studies; Anindita Basak; Pearson India
   7. A Text Book on Environmental Studies, Goswami, Mandal, Singh; Ashok Book Stall