Ecosystems, Natural Resources, Biodiversity, and Disaster Resilience Strategies
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies: Definition, scope and importance. Natural Resources: Renewable and non-renewable resources, forest, water, mineral, food, energy, and land resources.
Ecosystems & Biodiversity: Concept of an ecosystem, structure and function. Types of ecosystems. Biodiversity: Definition, levels, values, and threats to biodiversity. Conservation of biodiversity.
Environmental Pollution: Definition, causes, effects, and control measures of air, water, soil, marine, noise, thermal, and nuclear pollution. Solid waste management practices.
Social Issues and the Environment: Sustainable development, urban problems related to energy, water conservation, rain water harvesting, environmental ethics, and climate change.
Disaster Management: Concepts of disaster, natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, droughts, cyclones, landslides) and man-made disasters. Disaster management cycles, mitigation, preparedness, and response strategies.