L T P S J C

ENVS1003 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

3 0 0 0 0 3

Pre-requisite None

Co-requisite None

Preferable Exposure NO

Course Description:
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 underlines the importance of making environmental education an integral part of
curricula and encouraging environmental awareness and sensitivity towards its conservation and sustainable development.
Environmental studies include areas such as climate change, pollution, waste management, sanitation, conservation of
biological diversity, management of biological resources and biodiversity, forest and wildlife conservation, and sustainable
development.

Course Educational Objectives:

• To developed expertise relevant to the historical context of human interactions with the environment
• To make student aware about the concept of natural resources and its need for protection
• To make student aware of role of environmental legislations to protect environment
• To make student aware of a comprehensive knowledge of climate change and sustainable development goals

HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: LOCAL,

MODULE 1 12 Hrs
REGIONAL AND GLOBAL

The man-environment interaction: Humans as hunter-gatherers; Mastery of fire; Origin of agriculture; Emergence of city-states;
Great ancient civilizations and the
environment, Indic Knowelege and Culture of sustainability; Middle Ages and Renaissance; Industrial revolution and its impact
on the environment; Population
growth and natural resource exploitation; Global environmental change. Environmental Ethics and emergence of
environmentalism: Anthropocentric and ecocentric perspectives; The Club of Rome- Limits to Growth; UN Conference on
Human Environment 1972; World Commission on Environment and Development and
the concept of sustainable development; Rio Summit and subsequent international efforts.

MODULE 2 NATURAL RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 8 Hrs

Overview of natural resources: Definition of resource; Classification of natural resources; Major type of biotic resources- forests,
grasslands, wetlands, wildlife and
aquatic; Microbes as a resource; Status and challenges.Water resources: Types - fresh water and marine resources;
Environmental impact of over-exploitation,
issues and challenges. Mineral resources: Importance of mineral exploitation; Environmental problems due to extraction of
minerals and use; Soil as a resource and
its degradation. Energy resources: Sources and their classification (renewable - coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy and
non-renewable - solar, wind, tidal, hydro,
wave, ocean thermal, geothermal, biomass, hydrogen); Introduction to sustainable development: Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs)- targets and indicators,
challenges and strategies for SDGs.

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS, ENVIRONMENTAL

MODULE 3 8 Hrs
POLLUTION AND HEALTH

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Biodiversity: Biodiversity as a natural resource and its distribution; Levels and types of biodiversity; Biodiversity hotspots;
Threats to biodiversity and ecosystems.
Biodeiversity conservation. Ecosystems and their services: Major ecosystem types in India and their basic characteristics -
forests, wetlands, grasslands, agriculture,
coastal and marine. Understanding pollution: Production processes and generation of wastes; Assimilative capacity of the
environment; Causes, effects and control measures of air, water, soil and noise pollution: Principles and need of Solid and
hazardous waste management. Thermal and Radioactive pollution: Sources and impact on human health and ecosystems.

CLIMATE CHANGE: IMPACTS, ADAPTATION MITIGATION, AND

MODULE 4 8 Hrs
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Understanding climate change: Natural variations in climate; Structure of atmosphere; Anthropogenic climate change from
greenhouse gas emissions– past, present and future; Impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change; Mitigation of
climate change: Synergies between adaptation and mitigation measures; GHG reduction vs. sink enhancement; Concept of
carbon intensity; National and international policy instruments for mitigation, decarbonizing pathways and net zero targets for the
future; Carbon capture and storage, National climate action plan; Climate justice.
Environmental management system: Concept of ISO 14001 and Circular Economy, Life cycle analysis; Environmental audit and
impact assessment; Concept of 3R
and sustainability; Ecolabeling /Ecomark scheme

MODULE 5 ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES, LEGISLATION CASE STUDIES AND FIELD WORK 9 Hrs

An overview of instruments of international cooperation; conventions and protocols; COP Major International Environmental
Agreements: CITES; Ramsar
Convention; UNCCD; Vienna Convention; Montreal Protocol ; Basel Convention; Rotterdam Convention; Stockholm Convention;
UNFCCC; Kyoto Protocol; Paris
Agreement; Major Indian Environmental Legislations: The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; The Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974; The Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980; The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The
Biological Diversity Act, 2002; Waste
management rules;
Field visits to identify local/regional environmental issues; Participation in plantation drive and nature camps; Documentation of
campus biodiversity; Campus
environmental management activities such as solid waste disposal, water management and sanitation and sewage treatment

Textbook(s):
1. Fisher, Michael H., An Environmental History of India- From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century, , Cambridge
University Press., 2018
2. Perman, R., Ma, Y., McGilvray, J., and Common, M., Natural Resource and Environmental Economics. Pearson
Education., Pearson Education., 2003
3. William P.Cunningham and Mary A., Cunningham Environmental Science: A Global Concern, Mc-Graw Hill, USA), 2015
4. Bawa, K.S., Oomen, M.A. and Primack, R., Conservation Biology: A Primer for South Asia. Universities Press.,
Universities Press.,
5. Jackson, A. R., & Jackson, J. M. , . Environmental Science: The Natural Environment and Human Impact. Pearson
Education, Pearson Education, 2000
6. Ahluwalia, V. K., . Environmental Pollution, and Health. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), 2015
7. Tiefenbacher, J, Environmental Management - Pollution, Habitat, Ecology, and Sustainability, Intech Open, , London,
8. Theodore, M. K. and Theodore, Louis , Introduction to Environmental Management, , 2nd , CRC Press,

Reference(s):

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 1. Hughes, J. Donald, An Environmental History of the World- Humankind’s Changing Role in the Community of Life,, 2nd ,
Routledge. , 2009
2. John W. Twidell and Anthony D., Renewable Energy Sources, Weir Publisher, 2015
3. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. & Gupta, S.R., Ecology, Environment and Resource Conservation. , Anamaya Publications ,
4. Manahan, S.E., Environmental Chemistry, 11th, CRC Press., 2022
5. Central Pollution Control Board Web page for various pollution standards.,
6. Pittock, Barrie, Climate Change: The Science, Impacts and Solutions. , 2nd , Routledge., 2009

Course Outcomes:
1. Gain insights into the international efforts to safeguard the Earth’s environment and resources,ecosystems, biodiversity
and conservation
2. Identify types of natural resources, their distribution and use with special reference to India.
3. Discuss the factors affecting the availability of natural resources, their conservation.
4. An overview of national and global efforts to address climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts
5. Understand different approaches of assessing environmental quality and associated risks

Course Articulation Matrix:

POs PSOs

CO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 2 3 4

1 2 2

2 2 3 1

3 1 2 1 2 1

4 3 2 3

5 2 1 2

3 – High, 2 – Medium & 1 – Low Correlation

APPROVED IN MEETINGS HELD ON:

BOS : 10-06-2024 Academic Council Number: 30 Academic Council : 04-07-2024

SDG No(s). & Statement(s) :

4 & Quality Education : Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for
all.Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
9 & Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure : Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and
foster innovation.
12 & Responsible Consumption and Production : Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
15 & Life on Land : Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat
desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

SDG Justification(s):
SDG No:4 - The module and topics mentioned in this course are designed to ensure all-inclusive and thorough education for
everyone affirming the belief that education is one of the most influential and proven for sustainable development in terms of
Chemistry and toxic substances SDG NO:9- Promotes the sustainable industrialization and innovation by diversified chemical
industries which are related to chemistry are sustained and are experiencing faster recovery. SDG No:12 - Achieving economic
growth and sustainable development requires to reduce ecological footprint by changing the goods and resources. Encouraging
industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is equally important, as is supporting developing countries
to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030. SDG No:15 - Urgent action must be taken to reduce the

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loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are part of our common heritage and support global food and water security,
climate change mitigation and adaptation, and peace and security.

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