Environmental Science

Scope of Environmental Studies and its applications Relationship of Environmental Studies with other subjects (Multidisciplinary nature of Environment) ,Concept of sustainability and sustainable development. Environmentally important dates and abbreviations Structure and function of an ecosystem Types of Ecosystems and their general characteristics Producers, consumers and decomposers Energy flow in the ecosystem Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids Ecological Succession

Land resources and landuse 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 Energy resources: Renewable and non renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources, growing energy needs, case studies.

Levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity India as a mega-biodiversity nation; Biogeographic zones of India Biodiversity patterns and global biodiversity hot spots 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

Types, Causes, effects and control measures of : Air pollution; Water pollution; Soil pollution; Noise pollution Pollution case studies Solid waste management: Control measures of urban and industrial waste. Nuclear hazards and human health risks Global environmental issues: Climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act,1986; Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Forest Conservation Act, 1980 International agreements: Montreal protocol, Kyoto protocol and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

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 Delhi)