Natural Resources - Definition, scope and importance, need for public awareness and their associated problems of A- Forest resources- use and over exploitation, deforestations, tribal extraction and mining. B- Water resources use and utilization of surface and ground water, floods drought, Conflicts, overwater, dams- benefits and problems. C- Mineral resources use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources. D- Food resources- world food problems, changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer, pesticide problems, water logging and salinity. E- Energy resources- growing energy needs, renewable and non-renewable energy- uses of alterablesources. F- Land resources- land degradations, man induced landslides, soil erosion and desertification ,role of an individual in conservation of natural resources, equitable use of resources for sustainable life styles.

Concepts of an ecosystem- structure and functions of an ecosystem - producers, consumers and decomposers. Energy flow in an ecosystem- ecological suggestion, food chain. Food web and ecological pyramids. characteristics features, structures and functions of the forest ecosystem, grassland ecosystem, desert ecosystem and aquatic ecosystem (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans and estuaries)

Introduction- definition- genetic, species and ecosystem diversity – bio geographical classification of India - value of biodiversity, consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option valuesbiodiversity at global, national and local levels- India as a mega diversity nation, hot spots of biodiversity, threads to biodiversity, habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts, endangered and endemic species of India- conservation of biodiversity through in situ and ex situ methods.

Definition, causes, effects and control measures of air, water, soil, noise, thermal pollution- solid waste management: causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial waste- role of an individual in prevention of pollution- pollution case studies- disaster management: floods, earthquakes, cyclone and landslides, Tsunami, Drought

Sustainable development- urban problems related to energy- water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management- resettlement and rehabilitation of people, its problems and concerns, case studies. Environmental ethics; issues and possible solution climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, nuclear accident and holocaust, case studies- consumerism and waste productsenvironmental protection Act- Air(prevention and control of pollution) Act-Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1974 - Wildlife production Act- Forest conservation Act- Issue involved in enforcement of environmental legislation, Environment Impact Assessment ( EIA ) Earth Summit - public awarenesshuman population and the environment- population growth and distribution- population explosion- family welfare programme- environment and human health- human rights- value education- HIV/AIDS- women and child welfare role of information technology on human health- Role of computer in environment and human health