MT20: ENVIORNMENTAL STUDIES

Environmental Studies
Unit - 1	The Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies  Definition, scope and importance, Need for public awareness
Unit - 2	Natural Resources  Renewable and non renewable resources:  a) Natural resources and associated problems  * Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies, Timber extraction, mining, dams and their effects on forests and tribal people.  * Water resources: Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, floods, drought, conflicts over water, dam’s benefits and problems.  * Mineral Resources: Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, case studies.  * Food Resources: World food problems, changes caused by agriculture and over grazing, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizers- pesticides problems, water logging, salinity, case studies.  * Energy Resources: Growing energy needs, renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources, case studies  * Land Resources: Land as a resource, land degradation, man induces land slides, soil erosion, and desertification.  b) Role of individual in conservation of natural resources.  c) Equitable use of resources for sustainable life styles.
Unit - 3	Eco Systems  · Concept of an eco system  · Structure and function of an eco system.  · Producers, consumers, decomposers.  · Energy flow in the eco systems.  · Ecological succession.  · Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids.  · Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of the following eco systems:  · Forest ecosystem  · Grass land ecosystem  · Desert ecosystem.  · Aquatic eco systems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)
Unit - 4	Biodiversity and it’s Conservation  · Introduction-Definition: genetics, species and ecosystem diversity.  · Biogeographically classification of India.  · Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values  · Biodiversity at global, national and local level.  · India as a mega diversity nation.  · Hot-spots of biodiversity.  · Threats to biodiversity: habitats loss, poaching of wild life, man wildlife conflicts.  · Endangered and endemic spaces of India.  · Conservation of biodiversity: in-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity
Unit - 5	Environmental Pollution  Definition Causes, effects and control measures of:  a. Air pollution  b. Water pollution  c. Soil pollution  d. Marine pollution  e. Noise pollution  f. Thermal pollution  g. Nuclear hazards  Solid waste Management: Causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes  Role of an individual in prevention of pollution case studies  Disaster management: Floods, earth quake, cyclone and land slides
Unit - 6	Social issues and the Environment  · Form unsustainable to sustainable development  · Urban problems related to energy  · Water conservation, rain water harvesting, water shed management  · Resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concerns, case studies  · Environmental ethics: issues and possible solutions  · Climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust, case studies.  · Wasteland reclamation  · Consumerism and waste products  · Environment protection Act  · Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act  · Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act  · Wildlife protection act  · Forest conservation act  · Issues involved in enforcement of environmental legislations  · Public awareness
Unit - 7	Human population and the environment  · Population growth and variation among nations  · Population explosion- family welfare program  · Environment and human health  · Human rights  · Value education  · HIV / AIDS  · Women and child welfare  · Role of information technology in environment and human health  · Case studies