ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Course Code BME405B
CIE Marks 50
Teaching Hours/Week (L: T:P: S) 3:0:0:0
SEE Marks 50
Total Hours of Pedagogy 40 hr
Total Marks 100
Credits 03
Exam Hours 3
Examination type (SEE) Theory
Module-1
Introduction to Environmental Studies:
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies.
Scope and importance; Concept of sustainability and sustainable development.
Ecosystems: Structure and function of ecosystem; Energy flow in an ecosystem: food chains, food
webs and ecological succession. Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert ecosystem, Aquatic
ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)
Module-2
Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources:
Land resources and land-use change; Land degradation, soil erosion and desertification.
Deforestation: Causes and impacts due to mining, dam building on environment, forests,
biodiversity and tribal populations.
Water: Use and over-exploitation of surface and ground water, floods, droughts, conflicts over
water (International & Inter-state).
Energy resources: Renewable and non-renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources,
growing energy needs, case studies.
Module-3
Biodiversity and Conservation:
Levels of biological diversity: Genetic, species and ecosystem diversity; Biogeographic zones of
India; Biodiversity patterns and global biodiversity hotspots.
India as a mega-biodiversity nation; Endangered and endemic species of India.
Threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts, biological
invasions; Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.
Ecosystem and biodiversity services: Ecological, economic, social, ethical, aesthetic and
Informational value.
Environmental Pollution
Environmental Pollution: Types, causes, effects and controls; Air, water, soil and noise pollution.
Nuclear hazards and human health risks.
Solid waste management, Control measures of urban and industrial waste.
Module-4
Environmental Policies and Practices
Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human
communities and agriculture.
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).
Nature reserves, tribal populations and rights, and human wildlife conflicts in Indian context.
Module-5
Human Communities and the Environment
Human population growth: Impacts on environment, human health and welfare.
Resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected persons; case studies.
Disaster management: Floods, Earthquake, Cyclones and Landslides.
Environmental movements: Chipko, Silent valley, Bishnois of Rajasthan.
Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in environmental
conservation.
Environmental communication and public awareness, case studies (e.g., CNG vehicles in cities).
Suggested Learning Resources:
Text Books:
1. Benny Joseph (2005)., Environmental Studies, New Delhi, Tata McGraw Hill Publishing
co.Ltd
2. Erach Bharucha (2005)., Textbook of Environmental Studies for Undergraduate
Courses,Hyderabad, Universities Press.
Reference Books:
1. Anji Reddy .M (2007), Textbook of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Hyderabad, BS
Publications.
2. Y Anjaneyulu.(2004), Introduction to Environmental Sciences, BS Publications.
3. Climate Change: Science and Politics. (2021). Centre Science and Environment, New Delhi.
4. Gadgil, M., & Guha, R. (1993). This Fissured Land: An Ecological History of India. Univ. of
California Press.
5. Gleeson, B. and Low, N. (eds.) (1999). Global Ethics and Environment, London, Routledge.
6. Groom, Martha J., Gary K. Meffe, and Carl Ronald Carroll. (2006). Principles of Conservation
Biology. Sunderland: Sinauer Associates.
7. Nandini, N., Sunitha N., & Sucharita Tandon. (2019). A text book on Environmental Studies
(AECC). Sapna Book House, Bengaluru.
8. Rosencranz, A., Divan, S., & Noble, M. L. (2001). Environmental law and policy in India.
Web links and Video Lectures (e-Resources):
• .www.eco-prayer.org
• www.teriin.org
• www.cpcb.nic.in
• www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in
• www.sustainabledevelopment.un.org
• www.conserve-energy-future.com
Activity Based Learning (Suggested Activities in Class)/ Practical Based learning
• Study of common plants, insects, birds, and basic principles of identification.
• Study of simple ecosystems – pond, river, etc.
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