GOVERMENT POLYTECHNIC, SAMBALPUR
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
LECTURE NOTES ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
(TH5)
rd
3 Semester
Prepared by: Mr. PRITISH KUMAR MOHANTY
Th5. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
(Common to all Branches)
Name of the Course: Diploma in Electrical Engineering
Course code: Semester 3rd
Total Period: 60 Examination : 3 hrs
Theory periods: 4P / week Internal Assessment: 20
Maximum marks: 100 End Semester 80
Examination ::
A. RATIONALE:
Due to various aspects of human developments including the demand of different kinds of
technological innovations, most people have been forgetting that, the Environment in which
they are living is to be maintained under various living standards for the preservation of
better health. The degradation of environment due to industrial growth is very much alarming
due to environmental pollution beyond permissible limits in respect of air, water industrial
waste, noise etc. Therefore, the subject of Environmental Studies to be learnt by every
student in order to take care of the environmental aspect in each and every activity in the
best possible manner.
B. OBJECTIVE:
After completion of study of environmental studies, the student will be able to:
1. Gather adequate knowledge of different pollutants, their sources and
shall be aware of solid waste management systems and hazardous
waste and their effects.
2. Develop awareness towards preservation of environment.
C. Topic wise distribution of periods:
Sl. No. Topics Period
1 The Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies 04
2 Natural Resources 10
3 Systems 08
4 Biodiversity and Conservation 08
5 Environmental Pollution 12
6 Social issues and the Environment 10
7 Human population and the environment 08
Total: 60
D. COURSE CONTENTS
1. The Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies:
1.1 Definition, scope and importance.
1.2 Need for public awareness.
2. Natural Resources:
Renewable and non renewable resources:
2.1 Natural resources and associated problems.
2.1.1. Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation,
deforestation, case studies, Timber extraction
mining, dams and their effects on forests and tribal
people.
2.1.2. Water resources: Use and over-utilization of surface
and ground water, floods, drought, conflicts over
water, benefits and problems.
2.1.3. Mineral Resources: Use and exploitation,
environmental effects of extracting and using mineral
resources.
2.1.4. Food Resources: World food problems, changes
caused by agriculture and over grazing, effects of
modern agriculture, fertilizers- pesticides problems,
water logging, salinity, .
2.1.5. Energy Resources: Growing energy need,
renewable and non-renewable energy sources, use
of alternate energy sources, case studies.
2.1.6. Land Resources: Land as a resource, land degradation,
man induces landslides, soil erosion, and
desertification.
2.2 Role of individual in conservation of natural resources.
2.3 Equitable use of resources for sustainable life styles.
3. Systems:
3.1. Concept of an eco system.
3.2. Structure and function of an eco system.
3.3. Producers, consumers, decomposers.
3.4. Energy flow in the eco systems.
3.5. Ecological succession.
3.6. Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids.
3.7. Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of
the following eco system:
3.8. Forest ecosystem:
3.9. Aquatic eco systems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans,
estuaries).
4. Biodiversity and Conservation:
4.1. Introduction-Definition: genetics, species and ecosystem diversity.
4.2. Biogeographically classification of India.
4.3. Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social
ethical, aesthetic and optin values.
4.4. Biodiversity at global, national and local level.
4.5. Threats to biodiversity: Habitats loss, poaching of wild life, man
wildlife conflicts.
5. Environmental Pollution:
5.1. Definition Causes, effects and control measures of:
5.1.1 Air pollution.
5.1.2 Water pollution.
5.1.3 Soil pollution
5.1.4 Marine pollution
5.1.5 Noise pollution.
5.1.6 Thermal pollution
5.1.7 Nuclear hazards.
5.2. Solid waste Management: Causes, effects and control measures of
urban and industrial wastes.
5.3. Role of an individual in prevention of pollution.
5.4. Disaster management: Floods, earth quake, cyclone and landslides.
6. Social issues and the Environment:
6.1. Form unsustainable to sustainable development.
6.2. Urban problems related to energy.
6.3. Water conservation, rain water harvesting, water shed
management.
6.4. Resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concern.
6.5. Environmental ethics: issue and possible solutions.
6.6. Climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer
depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust, case studies.
6.7. Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act.
6.8. Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act.
6.9. Public awareness.
7. Human population and the environment:
7.1. Population growth and variation among nations.
7.2. Population explosion- family welfare program.
7.3. Environment and human health.
7.4. Human rights.
7.5. Value education
7.6. Role of information technology in environment and human health.
Syllabus coverage up to Internal assessment
Chapters: 1, 2 and 3.
Learning Resources:
Sl.No Title of the Book Name of Authors Name of Publisher
1. Textbook of Environmental Erach Bharucha #UGC
studies
2. Fundamental concepts in D.D. Mishra S.Chand & Co-Ltd
Environmental Studies
3. Text book of Environmental K.Raghavan Nambiar SCITECH
Studies Publication Pvt.
Ltd.
4. Environmental Engineering V.M.Domkundwar Dhanpat Rai & Co
