JNTUH SYLLABUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

UNIT - I

Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Studies: Definition, Scope and Importance – Need for Public Awareness.

UNIT – II

Natural Resources : Renewable and non-renewable resources – Natural resources and associated problems – Forest resources – Use and over – exploitation, deforestation, case studies – Timber extraction– Mining, dams and other effects on forest and tribal people – 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, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, salinity, case studies. - 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. Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles.

UNIT – III

Ecosystems: 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 following ecosystem:

a. Forest ecosystem

b. Grassland ecosystem

c. Desert ecosystem

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

UNIT – IV

Biodiversity and its conservation: Introduction - Definition: genetic, 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 megadiversity nation - Hot-sports of biodiversity - Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, manwildlife conflicts. - Endangered and endemic species of India - Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Exsitu conservation of biodiversity.

UNIT – V

Environmental Pollution: Definition, Cause, effects and control measures of :
a. Air pollution
b. Water pollution
c. Soil pollution
d. Marine pollution
e. Noise pollution
f. Thermal pollution
g. Nuclear hazards

Solid waste Management: Causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes. - Role of an individual in prevention of pollution. - Pollution case studies. - Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides.

UNIT – VI

Social Issues and the Environment: From Unsustainable to Sustainable development -Urban problems related to energy -Water conservation, rain water harvesting, and 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 – VII

Human Population and the Environment: Population growth, variation among nations. Population explosion - Family Welfare Programme. -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.

UNIT – VIII

Field work : Visit to a local area to document environmental assets River /forest grassland/hill/mountain - Visit to a local polluted site-Urban/Rural/industrial/ Agricultural Study of common plants, insects, birds. - Study of simple eco systems pond, river, hill slopes, etc.

TEXT BOOK:

1 .Textbook of Environmental Studies for Undergraduate Courses by Erach Bharucha for University
Grants Commission.

2 .Environmental Studies by R. Rajagopalan, Oxford University Press.

REFERENCE:
1. Textbook of Environmental Sciences and Technology by M. Anji Reddy, BS Publication.