UNIT 1:
Definition, scope and importance of environment – need for public awareness
Concept of an ecosystem – structure and function of an ecosystem – producers, consumers and decomposers
Energy flow in the ecosystem – ecological succession
Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids
Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of the (a) forest ecosystem (b) grassland ecosystem
(c).Desert ecosystem (d) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)
Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.
Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts – endangered and endemic species of India
India as a mega-diversity nation – hot-spots of biodiversity
Biodiversity at global, national and local levels
Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values
Introduction to biodiversity definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity
Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts – endangered and endemic species of India
Biogeographical classification of India
UNIT 2:
Definition – causes, effects and control measures of: (a) Air pollution
(d) Marine pollution (e) Noise pollution
(f) Thermal pollution (g) Nuclear hazards
Solid waste management: causes, effects and control measures of municipal solid wastes
Role of an individual in prevention of pollution – pollution case studies – disaster management: floods, earthquake
Cyclone and landslides. Field study of local polluted site – Urban / Rural / Industrial / Agricultural.
UNIT 3:
Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies
Water resources: Use and over- utilization of surface and ground water, floods, drought, conflicts over water, dams-benefits and problems
Mineral resources: Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, case studies
Food resources: World food problems, changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing
Energy resources: Growing energy needs, renewable and non renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources. case studies
Land resources: Land as a resource, land degradation, man induced landslides, soil erosion and desertification
Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources
Timber extraction, mining, dams and their effects on forests and tribal people
Effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, salinity, case studies
