CCC704: Environmental Studies

COURSE AIM: The aim of this course is to provide to undergraduate students the basic knowledge
about Environment, both natural and anthropogenic, in different spatio-temporal domains (local,
regional, global). More specifically, it discusses the multidisciplinary nature of the Environmental
Studies, renewable and non-renewable resources, biodiversity and ecosystems both in India and over
the globe. In a second level, it provides knowledge about the different kinds of pollution, the influence of
environmental degradation on human health, nature and ecosystems and the global concern of greenhouse
gases, climate change and its implications and sustainable development.
Dr. Prem st nd
S COURSE UNIT/Module (MARKS) No of Total
1 half 2 half
N Pandey Lectures Marks
(Marks) (Marks)
100

1 Multidisciplinary nature of Dr. Prem 2-3 05 --------- 05

Environmental Studies: (5) Pandey

Introduction to Environmental Studies: What is

Environment? How does the Environment affect
us? How have we affected the environment and its
adverse impacts: (i) Pollution- air, water- Ganga
pollution, land, plastic, (ii) Deforestation-
desertification, (iii) Biodiversity loss – unsustainable
utilization, invasive species (iv) Land use- Land
cover changes- Urbanization, Loss of forests,
Agricultural lands, Industrialization, Highways (v)
Greenhouse gases- Ozone depletion, Global
warming, Climate Change (vi) Natural Hazards and
Disasters: Landslides, Droughts, Floods, Disease
epidemics; Environmental Impact Assessment;
Why is it important to conserve and protect the
environment? Environmental awareness –
Environmental Ethics, Environmental Laws,
Environmental Education, Environment Days,
Reasons to study about the Environment;
Environmental Science vs. Environmental Studies;
Description of Course on Environmental Studies –
Course content, Faculty responsible,
Recommended books; Evaluation

2 Natural Resources: (10) Dr. Prem 8 11 --------- 11

General description of renewable and non- Pandey
renewable resources; Forest resources, Water
resources, Food resources : World food
problems, changes caused by agriculture and
overgrazing, effects of modern agriculture,
fertilizer-pesticide problems, water
logging, salinity, case studies; Mineral and
land resources; Rocks and minerals; Influence
of the anthropogenic activities in the
environment, Deforestation, Desertification,
Drought, Land use – land cover changes;
Wasteland reclamation;
Solar radiation, solar spectrum, solar energy,
Wind energy; Role of society in conservation
of natural resources; Equitable use of
resources for sustainable lifestyles.
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3 Ecosystems: (8) Dr. Prem 6+1 8 --------- 8
Concept, structure and function of Pandey
ecosystems; Bio-geochemical cycles;
ecological succession, producers, consumers;
food chains, food web, ecological pyramids;
Introduction, types, characteristic features,
structure and function of ecosystems : Forest
ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert
ecosystem, Aquatic ecosystems (ponds,
streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)
4 Biodiversity and its conservation: Dr. Prem 8 12 --------- 12
(10) Introduction – Definition : genetic, Pandey
species and ecosystem diversity; Bio-
geographical classification of India; Value of
biodiversity : consumptive use, productive use,
social, ethical, aesthetic and option values;
Biodiversity at global, National and local levels
India as a mega-diversity nation; Hot-spots of
biodiversity; Threats to biodiversity : habitat
loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts;
Endangered and endemic species of India;
Conservation of biodiversity : In-situ and Ex-
situ conservation of biodiversity.

5 Environmental Pollution: (10) Dr. Prem 8 --------- 10 10

Definition; Cause, effects and control Pandey
measures: Air pollution, Water pollution, Soil
pollution, Marine pollution, Noise pollution,
Thermal pollution, Nuclear hazards; Solid
waste Management: Causes, effects and
control measures of urban and industrial
wastes; Disaster management : floods,
earthquake, cyclone and landslides; Role of
society in prevention of pollution with Pollution
case studies.
6 Environment and Social issues: (8) Dr. Prem 6 --------- 8 8
Urban problems related to energy and water; Pandey
Urbanization; Water conservation, rain water
harvesting, watershed management;
Resettlement and rehabilitation of people -
problems and concerns; Climate change,
Green house effect and global warming, acid
rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents
and holocaust; Global organizations; IPCC
reports.

7 Human population and Dr. Prem 5 --------- 10 10

Environment: (10): Population growth in

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 developed and developing countries; Human Pandey
Rights Women and Child Welfare; Impacts on
human health; HIV/AIDS and diseases;
Environmental protection acts for biodiversity,
air, water, wildlife, forest; Governmental and
Inter-governmental policies; Information
technology and environment; Environmental
Ethics; Environmental awareness.

8 Sustainable Development: (6) Dr. Prem 1 or 2 --------- 06 06

Definition and Concept; Practical aspects and Pandey
Objectives; From Unsustainable to Sustainable
development; Strategies for sustainable
development; Global concern for sustainable
development;

THEORY (70) 43-45 36 34 70

9 SURPRISE QUIZZES (5) 03 02 05

10 FIELD STUDY AND REPORT Dr. Prem 05 25

Pandey
SUBMISSION: (25) Students will visit a
major environmental site – Yamuna
Biodiversity Park, Butterfly Garden, Wildlife Technical
Sanctuary, Wetland, Forest, Industrial Staffs,
Pollution (Air/Water), Okhla Sewage
Treatment Plant, Timarpur Waste Senior
Technical
Management Plant, Landfill site, NTPC
Staffs.
Thermal Power Station, etc. and submit a
detailed Essay/ Field Study Report in a TAs.
specific Format within 15 days.

TOTAL 50 41 43 100

ASSESSMENT SCHEME:

• Midterm evaluation: 35% / 40%

• Final Exam: 40% / 35%

• Field Study/ Assignment submission: 25%

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Field Visit & Reporting
 Visit a local area to document environmental problems in forest, grassland, wet lands,
agriculture fields, hill or mountain.

 Visit a local polluted site in an urban, rural, industrial or agricultural environment –

Industrial area, Waste disposal- landfill site

 Study biodiversity -common plants, animals, insects and birds and their habitat –
Biodiversity Park, Bird Sanctuary

 Study simple ecosystems such as agriculture, ponds, rivers and hill slopes – Wetlands,
Forests

 Prepare an illustrated Report (in format) on Field Visit

Format for the Report

1. Title Page (Main title of the Field Report, Name, ID, Date of Visit, Date report submitted
(16/14 points Times Roman Bold)

2. Table of Content or TOC with pagination (14 points Times Roman), including all heading &
sub headings.

3. Itinerary ---- event with timestamps, for demonstration part as well. Person Interacted

4. Introduction: History of the place of visit, Map, location, background, characteristics, Tour
Itinerary, persons met/interacted (12 points Times Roman)

5.Observations: Headings/Subheadings Bold 12 points Times Roman; Text 12 points not Bold
New Times Roman)

6. Discussion and Conclusions: Lessons learnt and Ecological / Environmental implications. It

should be written in your own language and not copied from internet. (Text 12 points not Bold
New Times Roman)

7. Take home message: what is your view on the sites/ place.

8. References: Numbered full citation, website, etc. (Text 10 points not Bold New Times
Roman)

Give illustrations at appropriate places- photographs with captions, graphs, histograms in

colour/B/W – mention the credit- whether yours or somebody else's illustration and source.

All the pages should be numbered.

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RECOMMENDED BOOK(S):

Contents uploaded on BlackBoard & PPTs

Environmental Studies, Joseph,Benny. : TMH, 2009, (ISBN: 978-0-07-0648135)

A Textbook Of Environmental Studies for Undergraduate students (As per UGC Syllabus), D K
Asthana and Meera Asthana, 2009 (2014 Edition ) S. Chand (ISBN: 81-219-2764-1)

Environmental Studies by R J Ranjit Daniels and Jagdish Krishnaswamy, Wiley Indoia 2010
(ISBN:978-81-265-1943-9)

Environmental Science, Wagner,Travis. : Wiley, 2010

Fundamentals of Ecology, Odum, E.P. , 1971, W.B. Saunders Co. USA, 574 p.

Environmental Pollution: Management And Control for sustainable Development, R. K.

Khitoliya,R K. : S Chand, 2007 (ISBN: 81-219-2385-9)

Fundamental of Air Pollution, Bsubel, Richard W.: Academic, 2009.

People and Environment / Miller,G Tyler. : Cengage , 2009

Renewable Energy/ Godfrey Boyle, Oxford University Press.

Disaster Management: Text and Cases, Murthy, D B N.: Deep & Deep, 2008.