E.S Second Semester Syllabus

Unit 1: Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies

• Definition and Meaning
• Scope and Importance
• Multidisciplinary Nature of ES
• Need for Public Awareness
• Environmental Awareness Movements
• Expected Questions

Unit 2: Natural Resources

• Renewable and non-renewable resources 
• Natural resources and associated problems;

1. Forest Resource: 
2. Water Resources: 
3. Mineral Resources: 
4. Food Resources: 
5. Energy Resources: 
6. Land Resources:

• Role of an individual in Conservation of Natural Resources
• Equitable use of Resources for Sustainable Lifestyle

Unit 3: Ecosystems

• Concept of an Ecosystem
• Structure and Function of an Ecosystem.
• Producers, Consumers and Decomposers
• Energy Flow in the Ecosystem
• Ecological succession.
• Food Chains and Food Webs
• Ecological Pyramids.
• Introduction, Types, Characteristic Features, Structure and Function of the following Ecosystems;

                   a) Forest ecosystem

                   b) Grassland ecosystem

                   c) Desert ecosystem

                   d) Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)

Unit 4: Biodiversity and Its Conservation

• Introduction – Definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.
• Biogeographical 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.

Unit 5 : Environmental Pollution

1. Definition, Cause, effects and control measures of ;

• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Soil pollution
• Marine pollution
• Noise pollution
• Thermal pollution
• Nuclear hazards

2. Solid waste Management : Causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes.

3. Role of an individual in prevention of pollution.

4. Pollution case studies.

5. Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides.

Unit 6: Social Issues and the Environment

• From Unsustainable to 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 solutions.
• Climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust. Case Studies.
• Wasteland reclamation.
• Consumerism and waste products.
• Environment Protection Act.
• Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
• Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act.
• Wildlife Protection Act.
• Forest Conservation Act.
• Issues involved in enforcement of environmental legislation.
• Public awareness.

Unit 7: Human Population and the Environment

• Population growth, variation among nations
• Population explosion – Family Welfare Programme VII
• Environment and human health
• Human Rights
• Value Education
• HIV/AIDS
• Women and Child Welfare
• Role of Information Technology in Environment and human health
• Case Studies