UNIT – I

Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Studies: Definition, Scope and Importance –
Sustainability: Stockholm and Rio Summit–Global Environmental Challenges: Global warming and
climate change, acid rains, ozone layer depletion, population growth and explosion, effects. Role of
information Technology in Environment and human health.
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. - Types, characteristic features, structure and function of Forest
ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert ecosystem, Aquatic ecosystems.

UNIT – II

Natural Resources: Natural resources and associated problems, Forest resources: Use and over –
exploitation, deforestation – 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. Food resources: World food

problems, changes caused by non-agriculture activities-effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-
pesticide problems, water logging, salinity. Energy resources: Growing energy needs, renewable

and non-renewable energy sources use of alternate energy sources. Land resources: Land as a
resource, land degradation, Wasteland reclamation, man induced landslides, soil erosion and
desertification. Individual’s role in conservation of natural resources.

UNIT – III

Biodiversity and its conservation:
Definition & classification: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity- classification - Value of
biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, Biodiversity at national and local levels. India as a
mega-diversity nation - Hot-sports of biodiversity, Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, man-wildlife
conflicts. - Endangered and endemic species of India – Conservation of biodiversity: conservation of
biodiversity.

UNIT – IV

Social Issues and the Environment: Urban problems related to energy - Water conservation, rain
water harvesting-Resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concerns.
Environmental ethics: Issues and possible Solutions. Public awareness.
Environmental Management: Impact Assessment and its significance various stages of EIA,
preparation of EMP and EIS, Environmental audit. Ecotourism.
Text Books:
1. Environmental Studies by R. Rajagopalan, 2nd Edition, 2011, Oxford University Press.
2. A Textbook of Environmental Studies by Shaashi Chawla, TMH, New Delhi.
3. Environmental Studies by P.N. Palanisamy, P. Manikandan, A. Geetha, and K. Manjula Rani;
Pearson Education, Chennai.
Reference Books:
1. Environmental Studies by Deeshita Dave & P. Udaya Bhaskar, Cengage Learning.
2. Environmental Studies by K.V.S.G. Murali Krishna, VGS Publishers, Vijayawada.