Essential Environmental Studies

Contents: Preface. I. Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies: 1. Definition, scope, importance and need for public awareness. II. Natural resources: renewable and non-renewable resources: 2. Natural resources and associated problems. 3. Forest resources. 4. Water resources. 5. Mineral resources. 6. Food resources. 7. Energy resources. 8. Land resources. 9. Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources. 10. Equitable use of resources for sustainable life styles. III. Ecosystems: 11. Concept of an ecosystem. 12. Structure and function of ecosystem. 13. Producers, consumers and decomposers. 14. Energy flow in ecosystem. 15. Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids. 16. Various ecosystems. 17. Ecological succession. IV. Biodiversity and its conservation: 18. Magnitude, levels and gradients of biodiversity and biogeographical classification of India. 19. Value of Biodiversity. 20. Threats to biodiversity. 21. Endemic and endangered species of India. 22. Conservation of biodiversity. 23. India as a megadiversity nation and hot spots of biodiversity. 24. International and national efforts for conserving biodiversity. V. Environmental pollution: 25. Pollution: an introduction. 26. Air pollution (Causes, effects and control measures). 27. Water pollution. 28. Soil pollution. 29. Marine pollution. 30. Noise and thermal pollution and nuclear hazards. 31. Solid waste management. 32. Role of an individual in the prevention of pollution. 33. Pollution case studies. 34. Disaster management. VI. Social issues and the environment: 35. From unsustainable to sustainable development. 36. Urban problems related to energy. 37. Water conservation, rainwater harvesting, watershed management. 38. Resettlement and rehabilitation of people: problems, concerns and case studies. 39. Environmental ethics: issues and possible solutions. 40. Climate changes, global warming, acid rains, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust. 41. Wasteland reclamation. 42. Consumerism and waste products. 43. Environment protection acts. 44. Forest conservation and wildlife protection acts. 45. Issues involved in enforcement of environmental legislation and public awareness. VII. Human population and the environment: 46. Population growth variation among nations. 47. Population explosion - Family Welfare Programme. 48. Environment and human health. 49. Human rights. 50. Value education. 51. HIV/AIDS. 52. Women and child welfare. 53. Role of information technology in environment and human health. VIII. Field work: 54. Field work. Appendices. Glossary. Selected readings. Index.

"In the recent years, international Conferences held world over, on 'Global Environmental Issues' have unanimously resolved for creating mass awareness about environmental problems. In India, following the judgment of Supreme Court (2003), University Grants Commission has formulated a core Module Syllabus for Environmental Studies: the discipline concerned with environmental issues, their remedial measures and the social aspects, for all undergraduate courses and made mandatory to qualify it before graduation. Designed accordingly as a basic textbook for prescribed syllabus, the subject matter is spread over units and chapters to provide a comprehensive, relevant and uptodate information in simple and lucid form, enriched with authoritative illustrations and case studies. The book will be immensely useful to all categories undergraduate students, including those with inadequate bioscience background. This will also be beneficial to students appearing for competitive examinations.

Salient features:

• Meant for undergraduate qualifying course on environmental studies prescribed by UGC.
• Matter split into 8 units spread over 54 chapters for comprehensive and synchronised coverage.
• Subject analysed in simple manner with up to date information, each chapter independent and inter linked.
• Well supported by adequate illustrations and case studies.
• Additional relevant information provided in separate boxes.
• Each chapter augmented with learning objectives. Summary and examination oriented questions.
• Includes glossary of technical terms.

Key references fortified with web links for surfing internet and further details."