ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
PAPER CODE: CH-202B
Periods/week Credits Max. Marks:
200
L: 3 T: 0 3+1* Continuous Evaluation :
100
Duration of Examination: 3 Hrs End Semester
Exam : 100
Prerequisite: The students should have the knowledge of environment, biodiversity,
atmospheric pollution and importance of environmental studies. They should have the
knowledge of causes and effects of disasters and various environmental problems.
Course Outcome
1. The students will be able to understand the significance of equitable use of natural
resources and will be able to utilize the knowledge of biodiversity conservation and
protection of environment.
2. The students will learn about atmospheric pollution and global issues related to
environment like natural disasters and will be able to understand the different acts
for pollution control.
3. The students will be able to develop an understanding to major health issues of
women and children will gain knowledge of Mortality and Mortality rate.
4. The students will have the knowledge of different ecosystems and energy flow in
ecosystem.
5. The students will gain knowledge of disaster management.
PART A
Unit 1: Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies
1.1 Definition, scope and importance.
1.2 Need for Public awareness.
Unit 2: Natural Resources
Renewable and non-renewable resources:
2.1 Natural resources and associated problems.
2.2 Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies. Timber
extraction, mining, dams and their effects on forest and tribal people.
2.3 Water resources: Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, floods,
drought, conflicts over water, dams-benefits and problems.
2.4 Mineral resources: Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and
using mineral resources, case studies.
2.5 Food resources: World food problems, changes caused by agriculture and over-
grazing, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging,
salinity, case studies.
2.6 Energy resources: Growing energy needs, renewable and non renewable energy
sources, use of alternate energy sources. Case studies.
2.7 Land resources: Land as a resource, land degradation, man induced landslides, soil
erosion and desertification.
2.8 Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources. Equitable use of resources
for sustainable lifestyles.
Unit 3: Ecosystems
3.1 Concept of an ecosystem, Structure and function of an ecosystem
3.2 Producers, consumers and decomposers, Energy flow in the ecosystem
3.3 Ecological succession
3.4 Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids
3.5 Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert ecosystem, Aquatic ecosystems
(ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries).
Unit 4: Biodiversity and its Conservation
4.1 Introduction – Definition: Genetic, species and ecosystem diversity
4.2 Bio geographical classification of India,
4.3 Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and
option values
4.4 Biodiversity at global, National and local levels
4.5 India as a mega-diversity nation, Hot-spots of biodiversity
4.6 Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts,
Endangered and endemic species of India
4.7 Conservation of biodiversity: In- situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.
PART B
Unit 5: Environmental Pollution
5.1 Definition, causes, effects and control, measures of Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil
pollution, Marine pollution, Noise pollution, Thermal Pollution
5.2 Nuclear hazards
5.3 Solid waste management: Causes effects and control measures of urban and
industrial wastes.
5.4 Role of an individual in prevention of pollution.
5.5 Pollution case studies.
5.6 Disaster management: Floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides.
Unit 6: Social Issues and the Environment
6.1 From unsustainable to sustainable development, Urban problems related to energy,
Water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management
6.2 Resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concerns, Case Studies.
6.3 Environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions, Climate change, global warming,
acid rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents, and holocaust, Case studies.
6.4 Wasteland reclamation.
6.5 Consumerism and waste products.
6.6 Environment Protection Act. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. Wildlife Protection Act. Forest Conservation
Act.
6.7 Issues involved in enforcement of environmental legislation, Public awareness.
Unit 7: Human Population and the Environment
7.1 Population growth, variation among nations
7.2 Population explosion – Family Welfare Programme
7.3 Environment and human health. Human Rights
7.4 Value Education.HIV/ AIDS, Woman and Child Welfare
7.5 Role of Information Technology in Environment and human health, Case Studies.
Unit 8: Chemistry for peaceful purposes
8.1 The duality of chemistry: Chemistry for peaceful purposes versus Chemical Weapons
8.2 Dual – use nature of toxic and precursor chemicals
8.3 Weapons of mass destructions, disarmament
Unit 9: Field work*
9.1 Visit to a local area to document environmental assets river/
Forest/grassland/hill/mountain
9.2 Visit to a local polluted site-Urban/Rural/Industrial/Agricultural
9.3 Study of common plants, insects, birds
9.4 Study of simple ecosystems-pond, river, hill slopes, etc.
