UNIT-I NATURAL RESOURCES

1.1 Renewable and Non-renewable Resources: Natural resources and associated problems.

1.2 Forest resources :Use and over-exploitation, Deforestation, case studies– Timber extraction – Mining, Dams and other effects on forest and tribal people

1.3 Water resources : Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, Floods, Drought, Conflicts over water, Dams – benefits and problems

1.4 Mineral resources : Use and exploitation, Environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, Case studies

1.5 Food resources : World food problems, Effects of modern agriculture, Fertilizer-pesticide problems, Water logging, Salinity

1.6 Energy resources : Growing energy needs, Renewable and non-renewable energy sources, Use of alternate energy sources, Case Study

1.7 Land resources : Land as a resource, Land degradation, Wasteland reclamation, Man induced landslides, Soil erosion and desertification, Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources. Equitable use o f resources for sustainable lifestyles.

UNIT- II ECOSYSTEMS

2.1 Concept of an ecosystem, Structure and function of an ecosystem, Producers, consumers and decomposers

2.2 Energy flow in the ecosystem, Ecological succession,Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids.

2.3 Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of the following ecosystems: Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert ecosystem, Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)

UNIT- III BIODIVERSITY AND ITS CONSERVATION

3.1 Introduction — Definition : genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. Biogeographical classification of India

3.2 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-sports of biodiversity

3.3 Threats to biodiversity : habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts., Endangered and endemic species of India

3.4 Conservation of biodiversity : In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.

UNIT- IV ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION & SOCIAL ISSUES

4.1 Definition, Cause, effects and control measures of air pollution, Water pollution,Soil pollution, Noise pollution,Nuclear hazards, Marine pollution,Thermal pollution

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

4.3 From Unsustainable to Sustainable development, Urban problems related to energy

4.4 Water conservation, Rain water harvesting, Watershed management

4.5 Environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions

4.6 Climate change, global warming, Acid rains, Ozone layer depletion, Nuclear accidents and holocaust, Case Studies

4.7 Wasteland reclamation. Consumerism and waste products