1. Multi-Disciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies 1. Pyramid of numbers 4.

Thermosphere
Definition: 2. Pyramid of biomass 5. Exosphere
Environmental studies is a subject that includes ideas from many 3. Pyramid of energy (always upright) d) Air Quality Management
fields such as biology, chemistry, geography, economics, and sociology
to understand environmental problems and find solutions. 12. Forest Ecosystem • Controlling air pollution through:
Why Multi-Disciplinary? Types: Tropical, temperate, coniferous (depending on region). o Use of public transport

• Science helps us understand natural processes.

Characteristics: o Pollution control devices
• o
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Dense trees Green belts in cities
Economics tells us about resource use.
• Example: Delhi’s odd-even vehicle rule
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High rainfall
Sociology explains human behavior. to reduce air pollution.
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Rich biodiversity
Law deals with environmental rules. Functions: 2. Forest Resources
All work together to solve environmental issues.
• Provides oxygen • Provide timber, fuelwood, and oxygen.
2. Scope and Importance of Environmental Studies
Scope:
• Controls climate • Home to wildlife.

• Studying natural resources (air, water, soil).

• Home to many animals • Prevent soil erosion and help in climate control.
Example: Amazon rainforest Example: Amazon Rainforest – “Lungs of the Earth”
• Understanding pollution, climate change, and
biodiversity. 13. Grassland Ecosystem 3. Water Resources

• Learning sustainable ways to use resources.

Types: Savanna (Africa), Prairie (USA)
Characteristics:
• Freshwater sources: rivers, lakes, groundwater.
Importance:
• • Uses: drinking, irrigation, industries.
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Covered with grass
Helps in conserving nature.
• • Water scarcity is rising due to overuse and pollution.
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Few trees
Makes people aware of problems like pollution. Example: River Ganga – polluted due to industrial waste.
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Grazing animals like deer, zebra
Promotes eco-friendly development. Functions: 4. Mineral Resources

3. Need for Public Awareness • Prevent soil erosion • Naturally occurring substances like iron, copper, coal.
People must know about:
• Good for agriculture and grazing • Used in industries, construction, electronics.
• The effects of pollution. Problem: Over-mining can lead to land degradation.

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14. Desert Ecosystem
Importance of saving water, trees, animals. Types: Hot (Sahara), Cold (Ladakh) 5. Food Resources
• Government policies and laws. Characteristics:
• Come from agriculture, fishing, livestock.
Example: • Very little rain
• Need sustainable farming to avoid soil and water
Using cloth bags instead of plastic after awareness campaigns.
• Hot days, cold nights damage.

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4. Ecology and Ecosystems Example: Green Revolution increased food but overused fertilizers.
Plants like cactus, animals like camels
Definition of Ecology:
Functions: 6. Energy Resources
Ecology is the study of how living things (plants, animals, humans)
interact with each other and with their surroundings. • Unique biodiversity a) Renewable:
Definition of Ecosystem:
An ecosystem is a system where living things (plants, animals, • Minerals source • Sun, wind, water (never end)

microbes) live and interact with non-living things (air, water, soil). • Clean and environment-friendly
15. Aquatic Ecosystems Example: Solar panels, wind turbines
5. Structure and Function of an Ecosystem Freshwater Ecosystems: b) Non-renewable:
1. Ponds: Small, still water body, rich in plant life.
Structure:
2. Lakes: Larger than ponds, deep, may have zones. • Coal, oil, natural gas (limited supply)
• Biotic components: Living things (plants, animals, 3. Streams & Rivers: Flowing water, support fish like
• Cause pollution
decomposers). trout.
Example: Petrol, diesel
• Abiotic components: Non-living things (sunlight,
Marine Ecosystems:
1. Oceans: Large, salty water bodies, home to whales,
temperature, water). 7. Land Resources
fish, coral.
Function:
2. Estuaries: Where rivers meet oceans. Mix of salt & • Used for farming, housing, industries.
• Energy flows from sun → plants → animals → fresh water, very fertile.
• Land degradation due to deforestation, mining,
decomposers. Functions:
overgrazing.
• Nutrients get recycled. • Maintain water cycle Example: Soil erosion in hilly areas due to deforestation.

6. Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers

• Source of food (fish)
8. Environmental Pollution

• Producers: Make their own food using sunlight.

• Support aquatic life Definition:
1. Introduction to Biodiversity The introduction of harmful substances into the environment that
Example: Green plants. cause damage to air, water, land, or life.
Biodiversity means the variety of life on Earth — different types of
• Consumers: Eat other organisms. plants, animals, and microorganisms, the genes they carry, and the
9. Air Pollution
o Herbivores (cow), carnivores (lion), ecosystems they form.
omnivores (humans). Example:
A rainforest has high biodiversity because it has many species of trees,
• Caused by vehicles, industries, burning garbage.
• Decomposers: Break down dead things. Example: birds, insects, and animals. • Effects: Breathing problems, smog.
Bacteria, fungi. Example: Delhi air pollution crisis in winters.
2. Types of Biodiversity
7. Energy Flow in an Ecosystem a) Genetic Diversity 10. Water Pollution
• Energy flows in one direction: • Variety of genes within a species. • Mixing of sewage, chemicals, plastics into rivers,
Sun → Plants → Herbivores → Carnivores →
• Example: Different varieties of rice or dogs (Labrador,
lakes.
Decomposers.
German Shepherd). • Effects: Kills aquatic life, unsafe drinking water.
• At each step, some energy is lost as heat. b) Species Diversity Example: Pollution in Yamuna River.
• This is shown by an energy pyramid. • Variety of species in an area. 11. Marine Pollution
8. Ecological Succession • Example: A coral reef has many species of fish, crabs, • Dumping of oil, plastic, sewage into oceans.
and corals.
It’s the natural process by which ecosystems change over time.
c) Ecosystem Diversity • Harmful to marine animals and coral reefs.
• Example: A bare rock slowly turns into a forest.
• Variety of ecosystems (like forests, deserts, lakes).
Example: Oil spill in Arabian Sea.
• Two types:
• Example: India has forests, mountains, wetlands, and 12. Thermal Pollution
o Primary Succession: Starts where no life coastal areas. • Hot water from industries released into rivers.
existed before (like lava land).
o Secondary Succession: After 3. Value of Biodiversity • Reduces oxygen level, kills fish.
disturbances (like forest fires). a) Ecological Value: 1. Air Resources Example: Power plants near rivers.
a) Features
13. Soil Pollution
9. Food Chain
• Air is a natural resource that is invisible, odorless, and
A food chain shows who eats whom in an ecosystem.
Example: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle. essential for life. • Due to pesticides, plastic waste, dumping chemicals.

• It supports breathing, weather patterns, and plant • Makes soil unfit for farming.
10. Food Web photosynthesis.
Many food chains connected together form a food web. b) Composition of Air 14. Noise Pollution
Example: A frog may eat insects, but also be eaten by birds or snakes.
• Nitrogen – 78% • From vehicles, factories, loudspeakers.
11. Ecological Pyramids
• Oxygen – 21% • Causes stress, hearing loss.
Graphical shapes that show: Example: Noise during Diwali from crackers.
• Number of organisms
• Other gases (CO₂, Argon, etc.) – 1%
c) Structure of Atmosphere 15. Nuclear Hazards
• Biomass (weight) 1. Troposphere – Closest to Earth, weather happens
• Radiation from nuclear plants or bombs.
•
here.

Types:
Energy at each level of the food chain. 2.
3.
Stratosphere – Contains ozone layer.
Mesosphere
• Can cause cancer, birth defects.
Example: Chernobyl nuclear disaster (1986). 🇮🇳 5. India as a Mega-Diversity Nation
India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world. 6. Resettlement and Rehabilitation
16. Waste Management Why? When people are moved due to dams, roads, or disasters, they need
• Types of waste: Solid, liquid, hazardous. • Has different types of climates and land (deserts,
proper homes and jobs.
Problems:
• Needs proper disposal to avoid pollution.
forests, mountains, coastlines).
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Loss of home, land, culture
Over 45,000 plant and 91,000 animal species.
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17. Cleaner Technologies / Green Technology Poor compensation
Many species found only in India (endemic species).
• Use of eco-friendly technology. • Lack of jobs or facilities
• Less pollution, more efficiency.
6. Biodiversity Hotspots
Hotspots are regions rich in biodiversity but under serious threat.
Case Study:
Narmada Dam Project – thousands of people displaced; some were
Example: Solar cookers, electric vehicles.
India has 4 major hotspots: not properly rehabilitated.
1. Himalayas
18. Reuse & Recycling
2. Western Ghats 7. Environmental Ethics
• Reuse: Using items again (bottles, bags). 3. Indo-Burma region Study of right and wrong related to the environment.
a) Environmental Values
• Recycle: Making new things from waste (paper,
4. Sundaland (includes Nicobar Islands)
Respect nature, reduce waste, live in harmony with animals.
plastic). 7. Threats to Biodiversity b) Species Preservation
Example: Recycling newspaper to make paper bags. a) Habitat Loss: Every species has a right to live.

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Example: Save tigers and endangered animals.
19. Solid Waste Management Cutting forests, building cities or roads destroys natural

• Managing garbage from homes, offices, markets.

homes. 8. Global Environmental Issues

• Steps: Collection → Segregation → Recycling or

• Example: Deforestation in the Amazon or Western a) Climate Change
Ghats. Change in global temperature and weather patterns.
composting. b) Poaching: Cause: Excess CO₂ from vehicles and industries.
Example: Swachh Bharat Mission promotes cleanliness and waste b) Global Warming
management. • Illegal hunting of animals for money. Earth is getting hotter due to greenhouse gases.

20. Role of Individuals to Prevent Pollution

• Example: Tigers hunted for their skin and bones.
Effect: Melting glaciers, sea-level rise.
c) Acid Rain
c) Man-Wildlife Conflicts:
• Use public transport
• Animals come into farms or towns, leading to attacks.
Pollution mixes with rain and falls as acid.
Effect: Damages buildings, plants, and water bodies.
• Say no to plastic
• Example: Elephants damaging crops or leopards
d) Ozone Layer Depletion

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Ozone protects us from harmful UV rays.
Plant trees entering villages. Cause: CFC gases in old ACs, fridges.
• Save water and electricity 8. Endangered and Endemic Species of India
e) Nuclear Accidents & Holocaust
Nuclear power accidents can be deadly.
• Dispose waste properly • Endangered Species: At risk of extinction. Example: Chernobyl (1986) in Ukraine – many deaths, long-term
radiation effects.
21. Pollution Case Studies o Example: Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion,
Ganges River Dolphin.
• 9. Waste Land Reclamation
•
Ganga River Pollution – from factories and sewage
Endemic Species: Found only in one region/country. Turning useless, dry land into useful land by:
• Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) – gas leak killed thousands
o Example: Nilgiri Tahr (found only in • Planting trees
• Delhi Smog – crop burning and vehicle smoke Western Ghats), Lion-tailed Macaque.
• Adding compost
22. Disaster Management 9. Conservation of Biodiversity • Preventing overgrazing
Handling natural disasters to reduce damage and help recovery. a) In-situ Conservation (protect in natural habitat)
a) Floods
• Protecting animals and plants in their original place. 10. Consumerism and Waste Products
• Water overflows due to heavy rain or river burst.
• Examples:
More buying → More waste (plastic, packaging, gadgets).
Solution:
• Control: Dams, early warning, drainage system. o National Parks (e.g., Jim Corbett • Reduce use
Example: Kerala floods (2018) National Park)
b) Earthquakes
o Wildlife Sanctuaries (e.g., Kaziranga
• Reuse and recycle products
• Sudden shaking of ground due to movement in Earth’s Sanctuary) • Buy eco-friendly goods
crust. o Biosphere Reserves (e.g., Nilgiri
• Safety: Build earthquake-proof buildings, emergency Biosphere Reserve) 11. Environmental Legislation (Laws)
Laws made to protect the environment.
kits. b) Ex-situ Conservation (protect outside natural habitat)
a) Environmental Protection Act (1986):
Example: Gujarat Earthquake (2001)
c) Cyclones
• Taking plants or animals out of their habitat and Covers all types of pollution and environmental issues.
protecting them. b) Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1974):
• Strong winds and rain over the sea moving toward • Examples:
Controls water pollution from factories and homes.
land. c) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1981):
o Zoos
•
Controls air pollution from industries, vehicles.
Protection: Early warning, storm shelters.
Example: Cyclone Fani (2019)
o Botanical gardens d) Wildlife Protection Act (1972):
Protects animals, birds, and their habitats.
d) Landslides o Seed banks
e) Forest Conservation Act (1980):
• Sudden fall of rocks/soil from mountains. o Captive breeding (e.g., breeding lions in Prevents deforestation and protects forests.
zoos)
• Causes: Heavy rain, deforestation, earthquakes. 1. From Unsustainable to Sustainable Development 12. Environmental Management System (EMS)
• Prevention: Tree plantation, proper drainage.
Unsustainable Development
Development that harms the environment and uses resources faster
A plan used by industries and companies to reduce pollution and
follow eco-friendly practices.
than they can be replaced.
• Biodiversity helps ecosystems function well. Example: Cutting forests for roads without replanting. 13. Public Hearing & Role of NGOs

• Example: Bees help in pollination.

Sustainable Development
Development that meets present needs without harming future
a) Public Hearing:
Before starting big projects (like dams), people in the area are asked
b) Economic Value: generations. for their opinion.
• Many products come from nature: medicine, wood, Example: Using solar energy instead of coal. b) Role of NGOs:
fruits, etc.
2. Urban Problems Related to Energy • Spread awareness
• •
•
Example: Neem and turmeric used in Ayurveda. Plant trees
c) Aesthetic Value: High energy demand in cities due to buildings, traffic,

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industries. • Help in disaster relief
•
Beauty of nature attracts tourism and gives peace. Example: WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)
Overuse of electricity and fossil fuels causes pollution
• Example: National parks and scenic spots. and shortage.
d) Cultural Value: 14. ISO 9000 and ISO 14000
Solution: Use of energy-saving appliances, solar lights, public
• Many animals/plants are linked to religion and
transport. • ISO 9000: Standard for quality management.
tradition.
3. Water Conservation • ISO 14000: Standard for environmental management.
• Example: Tulsi and Peepal tree in Indian culture. Saving water to avoid shortage. Helps companies follow eco-friendly rules.
Tips:
15. Issues in Enforcement of Environment Laws
4. Biodiversity at Different Levels
• Fix leaking taps
a) Global Level: • Corruption
• • Use drip irrigation in farms
Earth has about 8 million species. • Lack of awareness
• • Reuse kitchen water for gardening
Example: Amazon Rainforest – very rich in species. • Weak punishments
b) National Level (India):
4. Rainwater Harvesting •
•
Poor monitoring
India has over 91,000 animal species and 45,000 plant Collecting and storing rainwater for later use.
species. Example: Tanks on rooftops or underground pits. 16. Public Awareness
• Example: Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, banyan tree.
Benefits: Recharges groundwater, reduces water bills. People should:
c) Local Level: 5. Watershed Management • Know the laws
• Biodiversity found in our local parks, rivers, or forests. Managing rainwater and land in a specific area to prevent soil erosion
• Save resources
and increase water supply.
• Example: Local medicinal plants, birds, insects. Example: Planting trees, building small check dams. • Report polluters
Helps: Farmers, villagers, and the environment.
 • Join environment campaigns
Example: “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” for cleanliness.

17. Environmental Economics

a) Link between Environment and Standard of Living
Clean air, water, and green surroundings improve health and life
quality.
Pollution and poor resource management affect health and economy.
Example: Cities with more trees are healthier and cooler.