Measuring and defining environmental development: indicators (3 lectures) Module 2: Basic Principles of ecosystem functioning Concept of an ecosystem Structure and function of an ecosystem Producers, consumers and decomposers Energy flow in the ecosystem Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and functions Forest ecosystem Grassland ecosystem Desert ecosystem Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers oceans, estuaries) (8 lectures) Module 3: Environment and Natural Resources Forest Resources Use and over-exploitation Deforestation Timber extraction Mining and dams-their effects on forests and tribal people. Case studies Water Resources Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water Floods, droughts Conflicts over water Dams-benefits and costs Mineral resources Use and exploitation Effects of extracting and using mineral resources Case studies Food resources World food problems Changes caused by agricultural and overgrazing Effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, and salinity Case studies. Energy resources Growing energy needs Renewable and non renewable energy sources Use of alternate energy sources Case studies Land resources Land as a resource Common property resources Land degradation Soil erosion and desertification (10 lectures) Module 4: Biodiversity and its Conservation Introduction-Genetic, species and ecosystem diversity Bio-geographical classification of India Value of biodiversity- consumptive and productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values. Biodiversity-global, national and local levels Hot-spots of biodiversity Threats to biodiversity habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts India as a mega-diversity nation Endangered and endemic species of India Conservation of biodiversity-In-situ and Ex-situ conservation (6 lectures) Module 5: Environmental Pollution Welfare Measures and Environmental Values Definition and Classification of Environmental Values Valuation Methods (4 lectures) Module 6: Environmental Economics Economic approach to environmental preservation and conservation Property rights and externalities Management of Natural Resources Economics of natural resources Forestry Water resources Fisheries Biodiversity (8 lectures) Module 7: Environmental Pollution Causes, effects and control measures of Air pollution Water pollution Soil pollution Marine pollution Noise pollution Nuclear hazards Solid Waste Management Urban and industrial wastes Pollution case studies Pollution control methods Disaster management-floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides. (8 lectures) Module 8: Regional and sectoral Issues Urbanisation Agroforestry Drylands Goods and services Mountain development River basin water resource management Sustainable tourism Coastal zone management (8 lectures) Module 9: Environment and Development The economy and environment interaction State of the environment Economics of development, preservation and conservation Sustainability: theory and practice Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles Role of an individual in prevention of pollution (6 lectures) Module 10: Environmental Problems in India Effects of human activities on the quality of life Water and River, Ground water Wasteland reclamation Energy-Firewood, Animal energy, thermal and Nuclear energy Access to Common Property Resources (CPR) Pollution: domestic Solid waste, Health and Sanitation and Unsafe Drinking water