ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES Question Papers (2008, Aug/Sep, Supple)

SET : 1

1. Mention briefly the contributions made by the following:
BNHS
Indira Gandhi
Botanical survey of India
Madhav Gadgil

2. Write briefly about each of the following alternative sources of energy, bringing out advantages and problems.
(a) Wind Power
(b) Tidal Power
(c) Solar Energy

3. (a) What are the different kinds of grasslands in India and where are they found? Describe their charactersitics. (b) What are the threats to grasslands and what should be done to conserve them?

4. (a) Explain the concept of ex-situ conservation and illustrate your answer with examples.
(b) what is an Integrated Protected Areas and how does it help in conservation of biological diversity.

5. (a) Oceans are ultimate sink of most of the waste we produce. Explain. (b) List off shore sources of Marine Pollution. (c) Explain the effects of oil pollution on the ocean.

6. Discuss briefly the provision of the following Acts:
(a) The Water (Prevention Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
(b) The Air (Prevention Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
(c) The Wildlife Protection Act 1971
(d) The Forest Conservation Act of 1980

7. (a) Write briefly about the environmentally caused diseases which affect children (b) Explain the concerns for women and child welfare.

8. Explain the causes and effects of air pollution by describing any urban or industrial area that you have studies.

SET : 2

1. (a) Explain the need for students from all courses to be aware of environmental issues. (b) Write briefly about the scope of environmental studies.

2. Discuss the importance of environmental studies with respect to the following statements.
(a) We live in a world where in natural resources are limited.
(b) Green spaces and gardens are vital to the physiological and physical health of city dwellers.

3. (a) what do you understand by energy flow in an ecosystem? (b) Describe the water cycle and the nitrogen cycle.

4. Discuss the aesthetic value of nature with respect to the following statements.
(a) A true wilderness experience is an incredible learning experience.
(b) The beauty of nature encompasses every aspect of the living and non-living part of our earth.

5. (a) Oceans are ultimate sink of most of the waste we produce. Explain. (b) List off shore sources of Marine Pollution. (c) Explain the effects of oil pollution on the ocean.

6. (a) What is acid rain? What are the causes and effects of acid rains? (b) How can the formation of acid rain be avoided?

7. Write about some of the ideas and concepts of environmental ethics.

8. What are the problems encountered in the disposal of solid waste from various sources. Describe the outcome of poor management of solid waste, illustrating your answer with any case-study.

SET: 3

1. Write a detailed note on the role of various organizations in the field of the environment and their contribution to better management of resources.

2. (a) Discuss in detail the water cycle. (b) Write about sustainable water management.

3. (a) Explain the significance of preserving balance in various kinds of ecosystems. Illustrate with examples. (b) Describe the structure and functions of an ecosystem.

4. (a) List the main biogeographic zones in India and state where they are located. (b) What are the different values of biodiversity and write briefly on them.

5. (a) Oceans are ultimate sink of most of the waste we produce. Explain. (b) List off shore sources of Marine Pollution. (c) Explain the effects of oil pollution on the ocean.

6. Discuss briefly the provision of the following Acts:
(a) The Water (Prevention Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
(b) The Air (Prevention Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
(c) The Wildlife Protection Act 1971
(d) The Forest Conservation Act of 1980

7. Explain how the growth of human population on earth is a threat to the environment.

8. (a) Describe how you would methodically record the elements and resources in an ecosystem and assess its functioning. (b) Write your observation and main considerations about any ecosystem which you have studied (eg. forest, sea shore, farmlands, hilly stations etc.,)

SET: 4

1. Explain the different areas of environmental conservation to which people belonging to different disciplines can contribute.

2. (a) what do you understand by biotic and abiotic parts of nature? (b) Explain the interaction and interdependency of these.

3. (a) What is a food chain and food web? Describe the organisms which typically occupy various levels in an ecological pyramid? (b) What are the major types of ecosystems in the world? Write about any one briefly?

4. (a) Write a brief note on biodiversity and ecosystem divesity. (b) Explain the evolution of diverse species in an ecosystem.

5. (a) Explain the major water pollution and their effects. (b) Explain the significance of dissolved oxygen in rivers.

6. (a) What are the major issues associated with ressetlement and rehabilitation? (b) Bring out the main elements of water conservation.

7. Write a detailed note on the importance of developing environmental values for sustainable human development.

8. (a) Describe how you would methodically record the elements and resources in an ecosystem and assess its functioning. (b) Write your observation and main considerations about any ecosystem which you have studied (eg. forest, sea shore, farmlands, hilly stations etc.,)

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES syllabus, JNTU (2007-2008)

UNIT - I

Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Studies: Definition, Scope and Importance – Need for Public Awareness.

UNIT - II

Natural Resources : Renewable and non-renewable resources – Natural resources and associated problems – Forest resources – Use and over – exploitation, deforestation, case studies – Timber extraction – Mining, dams and other effects on forest and tribal people – Water resources – Use and over utilization of surface and ground water – Floods, drought, conflicts over water, dams – benefits and problems - Mineral resources: Use and exploitation, environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources, case studies. - Food resources: World food problems, changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing, effects of modern agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, 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, land degradation, man induced landslides, soil erosion and desertification. Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources. Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles.

UNIT - III

Ecosystems : Concept of an ecosystem. - Structure and function of an ecosystem. - Producers, consumers and decomposers. - Energy flow in the ecosystem - Ecological succession. - Food chains, food webs and ecological pyramids. - Introduction, types, characteristic features, structure and function of the following ecosystem:

a. Forest ecosystem

b. Grassland ecosystem

c. Desert ecosystem

d. Aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries)

UNIT - IV

Biodiversity and its conservation : Introduction - Definition: genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. - Bio-geographical classification of India - Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values - . Biodiversity at global, National and local levels. - . India as a mega-diversity nation - Hot-sports of biodiversity - Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts. - Endangered and endemic species of India - Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity.

UNIT - V

Environmental Pollution : Definition, Cause, effects and control measures of :

a. Air pollution

b. Water pollution

c. Soil pollution

d. Marine pollution

e. Noise pollution

f. Thermal pollution

g. Nuclear hazards

Solid waste Management : Causes, effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes. - Role of an individual in prevention of pollution. - Pollution case studies. - Disaster management: floods, earthquake, cyclone and landslides.

UNIT - VI

Social Issues and the Environment : From Unsustainable to Sustainable development -Urban problems related to energy -Water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management -Resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and concerns. Case Studies -Environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions. -Climate change, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents and holocaust. Case Studies. -Wasteland reclamation. –Consumerism and waste products. -Environment Protection Act. -Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. -Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act -Wildlife Protection Act -Forest Conservation Act -Issues involved in enforcement of environmental legislation. -Public awareness.

UNIT - VII

Human Population and the Environment : Population growth, variation among nations. Population explosion - Family Welfare Programme. -Environment and human health. -Human Rights. -Value Education. -HIV/AIDS. -Women and Child Welfare. - Role of information Technology in Environment and human health. -Case Studies.

UNIT - VIII

Field work : Visit to a local area to document environmental assets River /forest grassland/hill/mountain -Visit to a local polluted site-Urban/Rural/industrial/ Agricultural Study of common plants, insects, birds. -Study of simple ecosystemspond, river, hill slopes, etc.

TEXT BOOK:

1. Textbook of Environmental Studies for Undergraduate Courses by Erach Bharucha for University Grants Commission.
2. Environmental Studies by R. Rajagopalan, Oxford University Press.

REFERENCE:

1 Textbook of Environmental Sciences and Technology by M. Anji Reddy, BS Publication.