Unit 1: Introduction to environmental studies

(a) Multidisciplinary nature of studies; 

(b) Scope and importance; concept of sustainability and sustainable development.

Unit 2: Ecosystems

• What is an ecosystem? Structure and function of ecosystem; Energy flow in an ecosystem: food chains, food webs and ecological succession. Case studies of the following ecosystems: 

(a) Forest ecosystem 

(b) Grassland ecosystem 

(c) Desert ecosystem
(d) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)

Unit 3: Natural Resources: Renewable and Non‐renewable Resources

(a) Land resources and land use change; land degradation, soil erosion and desertification.
(b) Deforestation: Causes and impacts due to mining, dam building on environment, forests, biodiversity and tribal populations.
(c) Water: Use and over‐exploitation of surface and ground water, floods, droughts, conflicts over water (international & inte-rstate).
(d) Energy resources: Renewable and non renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources, growing energy needs, case studies.

Unit 4: Biodiversity and Conservation

(a) Levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity; Biogeographic zones of India; Biodiversity patterns and global biodiversity hot spots
(b) India as a mega–‐biodiversity nation; Endangered and endemic species of India
(c) Threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man–‐wildlife conflicts, biological invasions; Conservation of biodiversity: In‐situ and Ex‐situ conservation of biodiversity.
(d) Ecosystem biodiversity services: Ecological, economic, social, ethical, aesthetic and Informational value.

Unit 5: Environmental Pollution

(a) Environmental pollution: types, causes, effects and controls; Air, water, soil and noise pollution
(b) Nuclear hazards and human health risks (c) Solid waste management: Control measures of urban and industrial waste. (d) Pollution case studies.

Unit 6: Environmental Policies & Practices

(a) Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture
(b) Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act; Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act; Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act; Wildlife Protection Act; Forest Conservation Act. International agreements: Montreal and Kyoto protocols and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
(c) Nature reserves, tribal populations and rights, and human wildlife conflicts in Indian context.

Unit 7: Human Communities and the Environment

(a) Human population growth: Impacts on environment, human health and welfare.
(b) Resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected persons; case studies.
(c) Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclones and landslides.
(d) Environmental movements: Chipko, Silent valley, Bishnois of Rajasthan.
(e) Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in environmental conservation.
(f) Environmental communication and public awareness, case studies (e.g., CNG vehicles in Delhi).

Unit 8: Field work

(a) Visit to an area to document environmental assets: river/forest/flora/fauna, etc.
(b) Visit to a local polluted site–‐Urban/Rural/Industrial/Agricultural.
(c) Study of common plants, insects, birds and basic principles of identification.
(d) • Study of simple ecosystems–‐pond, river, Delhi Ridge, etc.