Introduction, Structure, and Function of Ecosystems; Energy Flow: Food Chains, Food Webs and Ecological Succession. Case Studies of the following:

(a) Forest Ecosystem

(b) Grassland Ecosystem

(c) Desert Ecosystem

(d) Aquatic Ecosystems (Ponds, Streams, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans, Estuaries)

1. Levels of Biological Diversity : Genetic, Species and Ecosystem Diversity; Biogeographic Zones of India; Biodiversity Patterns

2. India as a Mega-Biodiversity Nation; Endangered and Endemic Species of India

3. Threats to Biodiversity : Habitat Loss, Poaching of Wildlife, Man-Wildlife Conflicts, Biological Invasions; Conservation of Biodiversity : In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation of Biodiversity

4. Ecosystem and Biodiversity Services: Ecological, Economic, Social, Ethical, Aesthetic and Informational Value

♦ Overview of Natural Resources: Definition of Resource; Classification of Natural Resources – Biotic and Abiotic, Renewable and Non-Renewable.

♦ Biotic Resources: Major Type of Biotic Resources – Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands, Wildlife and Aquatic (Fresh Water and Marine); Microbes as a Resource; Status and Challenges.

♦ Water Resources: Types of Water Resources – Fresh Water and Marine Resources; Availability and Use of Water Resources; Environmental Impact of Over-exploitation, Issues and Challenges; Water Scarcity and Stress; Conflicts over Water.

♦ Soil and Mineral Resources: Important Minerals; Mineral Exploitation; Environmental Problems due to Extraction of Minerals and Use; Soil as a Resource and its Degradation.

♦ Energy Resources: Sources of Energy and their Classification, Renewable and Non-Renewable Sources of Energy; Conventional Energy Sources – Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Nuclear Energy;

Non-Conventional Energy Sources – Solar, Wind, Tidal, Hydro, Wave, Ocean Thermal, Geothermal, Biomass, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells; Implications of Energy Use on the Environment.

♦ Introduction to Sustainable Development: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Targets and Indicators, Challenges and Strategies for SDGs.

1. Human Population Growth: Impacts on Environment, Human Health and Welfare.

2. Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Project Affected Persons; Case Studies.

3. Disaster Management: Floods, Earthquake, Cyclones and Landslides.

4. Environmental Movements: Chipko, Silent Valley, Bishnois of Rajasthan.

5. Environmental Ethics: Role of Indian and other Religions and Cultures in Environmental Conservation.

6. Environmental Communication and Public Awareness, Case Studies (e.g. CNG Vehicles in Delhi).

♦ Environmental Issues and Scales: Concepts of Micro-, Meso-, Synoptic and Planetary Scales; Temporal and Spatial Extents of Local, Regional, and Global Phenomena.

♦ Pollution: Impact of Sectoral Processes on Environment, Types of Pollution – Air, Noise, Water, Soil, Municipal Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste; Transboundary Air Pollution; Acid rain; Smog.

♦ Land Use and Land Cover Change: Land Degradation, Deforestation, Desertification, Urbanization.

♦ Biodiversity Loss: Past and Current Trends, Impact.

♦ Global Change: Ozone Layer Depletion; Climate Change.