Environmental Studies Syllabus [Gauhati University BA, B.Com and BSC 2nd Sem CBCS Pattern & NEP Syllabus]

Environmental Studies Question Paper Pattern of Gauhati University

Vision of the Subject Environmental Studies

The importance of environmental science and environmental studies cannot be disputed. The need for sustainable development is a key to the future of mankind. Continuing problems of pollution, loss of forest, solid waste disposal, degradation of environment, issues like economic productivity and national security, Global warming, the depletion of ozone layer and loss of biodiversity have made everyone aware of environmental issues.

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janerio in 1992 and world Summit on Sustainable Development at Johannesburg in 2002 have drawn the attention of people around the globe to the deteriorating condition of our environment. It is clear that no citizen of the earth can afford to be ignorant of environmental issues. Environmental management has captured the attention of health care managers.

Managing environmental hazards has become very important. Human beings have been interested in ecology since the beginning of civilization. Even our ancient scriptures have emphasized about practices and values of environmental conservation. It is now even more critical than ever before for mankind as a whole to have a clear understanding of environmental concerns and to follow sustainable development practices. India is rich in biodiversitv which provides various resources for people. It is also basis for biotechnology.

Environmental Studies Syllabus

Unit1: Introduction to Environmental Studies (3 lectures)

• Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies;

• Scope and importance;

• Concept of sustainable development

Unit 2: Ecosystems (8 lectures)

• What is an ecosystem? Structure and function of ecosystem: Energy flow in an ecosystem: food chains, food web and ecological succession. Case studies of the following ecosystems:

a) Forest ecosystem

b) Grassland ecosystem

c) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers)

d) Mountain ecosystem

Unit 3: Natural Resources: Types, Renewable and Non-renewable Resources (8 lectures)

• Land resources: land use change; land degradation, soil erosion and desertification

• Forest resources: Deforestation: Causes and impacts due to mining, Construction of big dams and their effects on forests and people.

• Water resources: Use and over-exploitation of surface and ground water, floods, droughts, conflicts over water (international & inter-state: Indo-China, Indo-Bangladesh, Cauvery disputes).

• Energy resources: Renewable and non-renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources, growing energy needs, case studies – coal mining, crude oil extraction.

Unit 4: Biodiversity and Conservation (8 lectures)

• Levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity; Biogeographic zones of India; Biodiversity patterns and global biodiversity hot spots

• 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 diversity services: Ecological, economic, social, ethical, aesthetic and informational value.

Unit 5: Environmental Pollution (8 lectures)

• 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.

• Pollution case studies – Bharalu river, Deepor Beel, Kolong river

 Unit 6: Environmental Policies & Practices (8 lectures)

• 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, policies and treaties; Montreal and Kyoto protocols and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), CITES.

• Nature reserves, tribal populations and rights, and human wildlife conflicts in the context of Assam

Unit 7: Human Communities and the Environment (9 lectures)

• 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, Narmada Bachao, Bishnois of Rajasthan.

• Environmental ethics: Role of Indian and other religions and cultures in environmental conservation.

• Environmental communication and public awareness, case studies (CNG, electric vehicles, green energy, waste minimization)

Unit 8: Field work (Equivalent to 8 lectures)

• Visit to an area to document environmental assets: river/forest/flora/fauna, etc.

• Visit to a local polluted site - Urban/Rural/Industrial/Agricultural.

• Study of common plants, insects, birds and basic principles of identification.

• Study of simple ecosystems- pond, river, stream

Suggested Readings:

1. Bharucha Erach: Text book on Environmental Studies, UGC, New Delhi

2. Carson, R 2002. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

3. De A.K.: Environmental Chemistry, Wiley Eastern Ltd.

4. Kaushik Anubha and C.P. Kaushik: Perspective in Environmental Studies, New Age International

5. Rajagopalan, R. (2018). Environmental Studies. (3rd Edition) Oxford University Press

6. S. C. Santra (2011): Environmental Science, New Central Book Agency

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