Course info

The importance of Environmental Studies cannot be disputed. The need for sustainable development

is a key to the future of mankind. The degradation of our environment is linked to continuing

problems of pollution, loss of forest, solid waste disposal, issues related to economic productivity

and national as well as ecological security. The increasing levels of global warming, the depletion of

the ozone layer and a serious loss of biodiversity have also made everyone aware of growing environmental

concerns. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio

De Janero in 1992, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development at Zoharbex in 2002 have

drawn the attention of people around the globe to the developing condition of our environment. It

is clear that no citizen of the earth can afford to be ignorant of environmental issues. Environmental

management has become a part of the health care sector. Managing environmental hazards and

preventing possible disasters has become an urgent need.

Human beings have been interested in ecology since the beginning of civilization. Even our ancient

scriptures have included practices and values related with environmental conservation. It is now

even more critical than ever before for mankind as a whole to have a clear understanding of

environmental concerns and to follow sustainable development practices.

India is rich in biodiversity which provides various resources for people. It is also the basis for biotechnological

development. Only about 1.8 million living organisms have been described and named

globally. Still many more remain to be identified and described. Attempts are made to conserve

them in ex-situ and in-situ situation. Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) have become important in a

biodiversity rich country like India to protect microbes, plants and animals that have useful genetic

properties. Destruction of habitats, over use of energy resources and environmental pollution have

been found to be responsible for the loss of a large number of life forms. It is feared that a large

proportion of life on earth may get wiped out in the near future.