Module 1: Environmental Studies Introduction

Definition, Scope and Importance

Measuring and defining environmental development: indicators (3 lectures)
Module 2: Basic Principles of ecosystem functioning
Concept of an ecosystem
Structure and function of an ecosystem
Producers, consumers and decomposers
Energy flow in the ecosystem
Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids
Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and functions
Forest ecosystem
Grassland ecosystem
Desert ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers oceans, estuaries)
(8 lectures)
Module 3: Environment and Natural Resources
Forest Resources
Use and over-exploitation
Deforestation
Timber extraction
Mining and dams-their effects on forests and tribal people.
Case studies
Water Resources
Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water
Floods, droughts
Conflicts over water
Dams-benefits and costs
Mineral resources
Use and exploitation
Effects of extracting and using mineral resources
Case studies
Food resources
World food problems
Changes caused by agricultural and overgrazing
Effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, and salinity
Case studies. Energy resources
Growing energy needs
Renewable and non renewable energy sources
Use of alternate energy sources
Case studies
Land resources
Land as a resource
 Common property resources
Land degradation
Soil erosion and desertification (10 lectures)
Module 4: Biodiversity and its Conservation
Introduction-Genetic, species and ecosystem diversity
Bio-geographical classification of India
Value of biodiversity- consumptive and productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option
values.
Biodiversity-global, national and local levels
Hot-spots of biodiversity
Threats to biodiversity habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts
India as a mega-diversity nation
Endangered and endemic species of India
Conservation of biodiversity-In-situ and Ex-situ conservation (6 lectures)
Module 5: Environmental Pollution
Welfare Measures and Environmental Values
Definition and Classification of Environmental Values
Valuation Methods (4 lectures)
Module 6: Environmental Economics
Economic approach to environmental preservation and conservation
Property rights and externalities
Management of Natural Resources
Economics of natural resources
Forestry
Water resources
Fisheries
Biodiversity (8 lectures)
Module 7: Environmental Pollution
Causes, effects and control measures of
Air pollution
Water pollution
Soil pollution
Marine pollution
Noise pollution
Nuclear hazards
Solid Waste Management
Urban and industrial wastes
Pollution case studies
Pollution control methods
Disaster management-floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides. (8 lectures)
Module 8: Regional and sectoral Issues
Urbanisation
Agroforestry
Drylands
Goods and services
Mountain development
River basin water resource management
Sustainable tourism
Coastal zone management (8 lectures)
Module 9: Environment and Development
The economy and environment interaction
State of the environment
Economics of development, preservation and conservation
Sustainability: theory and practice
Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles
Role of an individual in prevention of pollution (6 lectures)
Module 10: Environmental Problems in India
Effects of human activities on the quality of life
Water and River, Ground water
Wasteland reclamation
Energy-Firewood, Animal energy, thermal and Nuclear energy
Access to Common Property Resources (CPR)
Pollution: domestic
Solid waste, Health and Sanitation and Unsafe Drinking water