Environmental Studies

Detailing of syllabus
Unit I:

Environment- Definition, Components of environment- atmosphere, Layers

of atmosphere (Troposphere, Stratosphere and
Thermosphere), biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
Eco system- Definition, producers, consumers and decomposers.
Ecosystem components-biotic, abiotic, hydrological cycle,
balanced eco- system, food chain, food web
Human activities- The Anthropo System- human activities like growing food,
building shelter and other activities for economy and social
security.
Unit II:

Effects of human activities on environment-

Agriculture- Adverse effects of agriculture- soil erosion, contamination of
water due to use of chemical fretilisers and pesticides, water
logging-definition, bad effects and remedies. Organic
farming- definition, advantages of organic farming
Housing- use of large volume of materials for building industry and
transportation of materials to construction sites causing high
rate of consumption of natural resources,
Industry- Adverse effects of industry on environment- leading to land,
water and air pollution- consumption of natural resources
Mining- Adverse effects of mining on environment- air pollution,
damage to land and forest, noise pollution
Transportation activities-Adverse effects on environment- air pollution,
consumption of natural resources like petrol, diesel at faster
rate
Environmental Impact Assessment- EIA definition, objectives and benefits of
EIA
Sustainable development- Definition, objectives

Unit III:

Natural resources-
Water resources-
Availability- Global water resources distribution. Use of water for
irrigation, domestic and industrial purposes in India.

Quality aspects- BIS standards (IS 10500 -2003) for drinking water for
turbidity, pH value, total hardness, iron, fluoride, lead,
arsenic, nitrate and MPN.
Water borne diseases- definition and common diseases and their
causatives.
 Water induced disease- definition and examples
Fluoride problem in drinking water
Mineral resoures- Metallic minerals , Nonmetallic minerals- coal and
petroleum
Forest Wealth - Components of the forest. Key benefits of forests.
Deforestation-Environmental effects of deforestation and
remedies
Material cylces Carbon, Nitrogen & Sulphur cycles.

UNIT IV
Energy Different types of energy-
Non Renewable energy- Fossil fuels-Coal, Oil & Natural
Gas- Brief description only. Nuclear energy- Nuclear power
plants,
Renewable Energy – Solar energy- Photovoltaic systems for
street and domestic lighting, Solar water heating- Brief
description only.
Wind energy- defintion, merits and demerits,
Hydro Power- definition, merits and demerits. Biomass
Energy- Definition, Sources of Bioenergy, Biogas, Biofuels,
India’s position in renewable energy
Hydrogen as an alternative future source of energy- brief
scope, fuel cells

UNIT V

Environmental pollution: Definition, Harmful effects related to public health.

Water pollution: Definition, types and sources, Harmful effects

Land pollution: Definition, effects, Types of municipal Solid waste Disposal
(Sanitary land fills, Composting, incineration in brief)

Noise pollution: Definition, sources, effects and control measures

UNIT VI
Current environmental issues of importance

Population growth
• Definition, growth rate ,effects, remedies
Urbanization-definition, environmental impacts and remedies
Global warming and climate change
• concept of green house effect
• sources of green house gases
• effects and remedial measures of green house gases
Automobile pollution -sources , effects, prevention and control measures

UNIT VII

Acid rain: Definition, Causes and Effects, Control measures.

Ozone Depletion: Definition, Causes, Effects and Control measures.
Animal husbandry: Introduction, Purpose and Impact.

UNIT VIII

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Different Acts – Environmental Protection

Act, Air & Water Acts, Wildlife and Forest Acts (Year of
enactment & definition), Functions of Pollution Control Boards
(SPCB & CPCB)
NGOs : their Roles and responsibilities
Environmental Education - Objectives & Principles – Formal
& Non-formal, Women education in India.