Environment (Environment (Prelims))

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Internal Security

Ethics

Environmental Ecology

Origin of Life forms
- Origin of Life forms
- Life on earth
Basic Concepts of Ecology
- Types of Ecology
- Ecological Hierarchy
- Scope of Ecology
- Habitat & Ecological Niche
- Deep vs Shallow Ecology
- Ecological Principles
- Ecological Community
  - Structure and Characteristics of a Community
  - Stratification
  - Ecotone
  - Ecological Dominance
  - Seasonal and Diurnal Fluctuation
  - Periodicity
  - Turnover
  - Interdependence
- Ecological Succession
  - Types and Process of Succession
  - Climax Community
- Range of Tolerance , Maximum Range
- Difference between Ecology , Environment and Ecosystem
Ecosystem functions
- Ecosystem Definitions
- Functions and Properties of Ecosystem
- The Structure/Components of Ecosystem
  - Abiotic Components
  - Biotic Components
- Ecosystem Dynamics
  - Flow of Energy in Ecosystem
  - Trophic Levels
  - Food Chain
  - Types & Significance of Food Chain
  - Food Web
  - Models for Energy Flow
  - Ecological Productivity
  - Ecological Pyramid
- Biomagnifications
- Biological Control
Population Ecology
- Types of species
- Population Ecology
- Population Growth Models
- Methodology of Tiger census
- Methodology of Lion Census
Adaptation of Species and Interactions
- Adaptation
  - Examples of adaptation in plants
  - Examples of Adaptations in animals
- Homeostasis
- Interaction between Species
- Ecotone
- Endemic Species
- Keystone Species
- Indicator Species
- Invasive Species
- Allopatric and Sympatric Speciation
Terrestrial Ecosystems
- Terrestrial ecosystem
- Forest Ecosystem in India
- Grasslands
- Tundra
- Deserts
- Mountains
Aquatic Ecosystem
- Aquatic ecosystem
- Factors affecting the productivity of aquatic ecosystems
- Fresh water ecosystem
- Marine ecosystem
- Marine Organisms
- Plankton
- Phytoplankton
- Factors Affecting Phytoplankton Biodiversity
  - Importance of phytoplankton
  - Zooplankton
  - Sea-grass
  - Seaweeds
- Human Modified Ecosystems
Nutrient Cycling
- Concept of Biogeochemical Cycle
  - Parts of a Biogeochemical Cycle
  - Types of Biogeochemical Cycle
- Carbon Cycle
  - Steps in the carbon cycle
  - Carbon cycle: Long term and Short term
  - Carbon act as Climate Buffer
  - Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle
  - Effects of high concentration of Greenhouse Gases
- Hydrological Cycle
  - Different Steps of the Hydrologic Cycle
  - Storage
- Nitrogen Cycle
  - Human Impact on the Nitrogen Cycle
- Oxygen Cycle
- Sulphur Cycle
  - Human Impact on the Sulphur Cycle
- Phosphorus Cycle
  - Human Influence on Phosphorus Cycle

Biodiversity

Basics of Biodiversity
- Biodiversity
- Types of biodiversity
- Patterns of biodiversity
- Bio-geographical classification of World
- Bio-geographical classification of India
- Functions of biodiversity
- Hotspots of biodiversity
- Bio informatics
- Eco Regions
- Role of Traditional Knowledge in Biodiversity
- Biopiracy
Animal and Plant Diversity
- Plant and Animal Kingdom
  - Marine Mammals
  - Egg laying Mammals
  - Marsupials
- Threats to biodiversity
  - Causes of Biodiversity losses
  - Effects of Loss of Bio-Diversity
  - Extinction of species
  - Mass Extinction
  - IUCN Red List and Classification Scheme
- Biodiversity Conservation
  - Scheduled Animals in the Wildlife Protection Act
  - In-situ methods of Conservation
    - Protected Area Categories
    - Forms of Protected Areas
    - Biosphere reserves
    - Sacred forests and sacred lakes
    - World Heritage sites
    - Geo-heritage sites
    - Advantages of In-situ conservation
    - Disadvantages of In-situ conservation
  - Ex-situ methods of Conservation
    - Advantages of ex-situ preservation:
    - Disadvantages of Ex-situ conservation
  - Zoological Parks
  - Botanical Gardens
  - Seed banks
- National Parks
- Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Biosphere Reserves
- Species based conservation programmes
  - Project Tiger
  - Project Elephant
  - Project Snow Leopard
  - Vulture conservation project
  - Crocodile conservation project
  - Ganges dolphin project
  - Indian Rhino Vision
  - Other projects
  - India adopts SAWEN
- Important Coastal and marine Biodiversity Areas
- Global initiative
  - State of Protected Areas in the World
  - MAB – Man and Biosphere Programme
  - World network of Biosphere Reserves
  - Biodiversity Hotspots
  - CBD – Convention of Biological Diversity
  - Cartegana Protocol
  - Nagoya Protocol
  - Aichi Biodiversity Diversity
- Estuaries
  - What are estuaries?
  - Types of Estuaries
  - Importance of estuaries
  - Threats to estuaries
  - Major Estuaries in Indian coastal states
  - Monitoring and Prediction of Health of Estuarine and Coastal Waters
  - Difference between Lagoon and Estuary
  - Estuary ecosystem: Adaptations made in organisms
  - Conservation of Estuaries
- Mangroves
  - What are mangroves?
  - Mangroves in India
  - Importance of Mangroves
  - Mangroves under threats
  - Legal and Regulatory Approaches for Protection
  - Community based mangrove regeneration
- Coral Reef
  - About coral reefs
  - What do corals feed on?
  - Geographical Conditions
  - Types Of Coral Reefs
  - Uses of coral reefs
  - Concept of Bio-rock reefs
  - Threats to Coral reefs
  - Conservation of coral reef
- Wetlands
  - What are wetlands?
  - Types of wetlands
  - Wetlands in India
  - Importance of wetlands
  - Threats to wetland ecosystems
  - Conservation of Wetlands
  - About Ramsar Convention ‘
  - About Asian Water bird Census

Resource Degradation & Management

Land Resource
- Causes of land degradation
- Impact of land degradation
- Desertification
- Sustainable Land Management
Forest Resource
- Definition of forests by FSI
- Types of Forest Cover
- Forest Survey of India (FSI report 2017)
- Types of Forests In India
- Deforestation
- Causes of Deforestation
- Consequences of Deforestation on the Wildlife of India
- Strategies for Reducing Deforestation
- Government Programmes for Conservation of Forests
Soil Resource
- Soil Characteristics and Soil formation process
- Factors Responsible for Soil Formation
- Soil Forming Processes
- Soil Profiles and Horizons
- Type of Soils
- Soils in India
- Soils in World
- Soil Erosion
- Problems due to excessive irrigation
- Soil Conservation
- Soil health card scheme
- Organic Farming
Water Pollution
- Surface Water Resource
- Ground Water Resources
- Sources of Water Pollution
- Measurement of Water pollution
- Causes of Water Pollution
- Harmful effects of water pollution
- Other terms associated with water pollution
  - Algal Bloom
  - Eutrophication
  - Arsenic contamination of water
  - Mercury Pollution
  - Oxygen Stratification
- Energy Resources
  - Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
  - Tidal Energy
  - Wave energy
  - Fuel Cell
  - Microbial fuel cell
  - Biofuels
  - Biogas
  - Geothermal Energy
  - Solar Energy
  - New Energy Resources
  - Renewable Energy and Development
  - Petroleum Conservation Research Association
  - Atomic Energy Bill
  - Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill
  - National Electric Mobility Mission Plan
  - National Policy on Biofuels
  - Three Stage Nuclear Power Programme
  - Solar Renewable purchase Obligation
  - Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell
  - New Energy Policy
  - Energy Organisation

Environmental Pollution

Basics of Pollution
- Sources of pollution
  - Effect of Modern Agriculture on Environment
  - Effect of Housing on Environment
  - Effect of Power Generation on Environment
  - Effect of River Valley Projects (Water Resource Projects) on Environment
  - Effect of Mining on Environment
  - Effect of Transportation Activities on Environment
  - Effect of Tourism on Environment
- Classification of pollutants
- Pollution Indicator species
Mining and Pollution
- Mining and Environment
- Sensitivity of Select Ecosystems to Mining
- Impact of Mining
- Indirect Impact of Mining
- International Laws on Mining
- Main Act or Statue to regulate the impact of
- Indian Mining Sector
- Sustainable Mining
Air Pollution
- Causes of air pollution
- Harmful Effects of air pollution
- Top-ten gases in air pollution
- Control of Air Pollution
- Concepts related to Air pollution
  - Smog and its impact
  - Ozone depletion
  - Acid rain
  - Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM)
  - Fly Ash
  - Bharat stage Norm
  - National Air Quality Index
  - Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index
- Marine Pollution
  - Sources of marine pollution
  - Effects of marine pollution
  - Concept of dead zone
  - Concept of Ocean acidification
  - Oil spill
  - Trash and Other Debris in ocean
  - Microplastics and its impact
  - Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011
- Noise Pollution
  - Causes of Noise pollution
  - Noise Levels
  - Effects of Noise Pollution on human health
  - Corrective actions
- Biological Pollution
  - Sources of biological pollution
  - Harmful effects from biological contaminants
  - Corrective actions
- Radioactive Pollution
  - Sources of Radioactive Pollution
  - Harmful effects of Radioactive Pollution
  - Corrective actions
- Thermal Pollution
  - Causes of Thermal Pollution
  - Effect of Thermal Pollution
  - Control of Thermal Pollution
- Waste Management
  - Solid waste management
    - Types of Solid Waste
    - What is solid waste management?
    - Issues in solid waste management in India
    - Waste Management Practices
    - Technologies for the Generation of Energy from Waste
    - Policy on Promotion of City Compost
    - Salient features of SWM Rules, 2016
  - E-Waste Management
    - Pollutants and their health impacts
    - E-waste status in India
    - Importance of the E-waste management
    - Steps taken for combating mounting E-Waste
    - E-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2016
  - Biomedical Waste Management
    - Hazards associated with waste management
    - Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
  - Hazardous waste and its Characteristics
  - Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Trans-boundary Movement) Rules, 2016
  - Treatments Methods in Waste Management
    - Methods for sewage treatment
    - Treatments Methods for waste management
  - Hazardous waste treatement

Climate Change

Climate Change Basics
- What is Climate Change?
- What is Global warming?
- Factors Affecting Climate Change
- Causes of climate change
  - Extra-Terrestrial Sources of Climate Change
  - Terrestrial Sources of Climate Change
  - Anthropogenic sources of Climate Change
- Urbanization and climate change
  - Pollution in metros and climate change
  - Real estate boom and environment degradation
  - Urban Heat Island
  - Polythene bags and pollution
  - Methane generation from waste
- Impact of agriculture on climate
  - Agriculture increases Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  - Monoculture practice impacts biodiversity
  - Pollution due to use of chemical fertilizers
  - Soil-related effects
  - Fertilizer’s Effect on the Environment
  - Impact of livestock on environment
  - Impact of use of Pesticides on environment
  - Impact of GM crop on environment
  - Emission of Methane from agricultural practices
  - Sustainable Agriculture Techniques
  - What is greenhouse effect?
- Non green House Gases and Aerosols
- Radioactive forcing and global warming
- Ecological footprint
- Carbon footprint
- Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Climate Change Impact
- Impacts of the Climate Change
  - Acid Rain
  - El Nino
  - La Nina
  - Ozone Depletion
  - Ocean Acidification
- Global Warming & Health
  - Health impacts of global warming
  - Mosquito-borne diseases
  - Ozone depletion and human health
- Climate change mitigation
  - Carbon Sequestration
  - Carbon Sink
  - Carbon Credit
  - Carbon Tax

Environmental Governance

Acts and Policies
- Constitutional Provisions related to environment
- Wildlife Protection Act 1972
- Environmental Protection Act
- National Forest Policy
- Biological Diversity Act 2002
- Schedule Tribes and Other Forest
- Dwellers Act 2006
- Coastal Regulation Zone
- Wetland Rules 2010
- National Green Tribunal
- Ozone Depleting Substance Rules
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
- What is EIA?
- Brief History of EIA in India
- EIA Process in India
- The 8 steps of the EIA process
- Environmental Appraisal Process
- Drawback in EIA Process
- Recommendations for Improvement
- Environment Management
- EIA in India – Sectorial Analysis
  - Mining Sector
  - Agricultural Sector
  - Industrial Sector
- International Environmental Governance
  - UNEP
  - UNDP
  - Centre for Biological Diversity
  - WWF for Nature
  - IUCN - Red List
  - Birdlife International
  - International Conventions / Protocols & their Objectives
  - Sustainable Development Goals
  - Various Indices relate to Environment
  - Climate Change Governance
    - United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference)
    - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
    - Montreal Protocol and Kigali Agreement
    - The Earth Summit: United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Rio de Janerio, 1992
    - Global Environment Facility (GEF)
    - Rio Declaration: 1992
    - Agenda 21:1992
    - Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
    - United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
    - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): 1992
  - Global Climate Finance Architecture
- India and Climate Change
  - India’s Position with regards to policy on Climate Change
  - Observed Climate and Weather Changes in India
  - NAPCC
  - Indian Climate Change Assessement
  - Indian Policy Structure Relavant to GHG Emissions
- Environment related Institutions in India
  - Pollution Control Boards
  - National Green Tribunal
  - National Board for Wildlife
  - Animal Welfare Board
  - Central Zoo Authority
  - National Biodiversity Authority
- Environmental schemes in India
  - National Wildlife Action Plan
  - CAMPA
  - Joint Forest Management
  - Social Forestry
  - National Bamboo Mission
  - National Action Plan on Climate Change
  - National Solar Mission
  - Ganga Rejuvenation Plan
  - Benefits of River Ganga
    - Facts about Ganga River Pollution and its impacts
  - Ecomark Scheme
  - Swachch Bharat Mission
  - Swachch Bharat Kosh
  - Grants in Aid Scheme
  - National Afforestation Program
  - National River Conservation Plan
  - National Mission for Clean Ganga
  - National Air Quality Index (AQI)
  - National Action Programme to Combat Desertification
  - Pradhan Mantri Sauchalay Yojana
  - UJALA Scheme
  - Bharat Stage Norms
  - Corporate Social Responsibility and Environment Protection
- APPENDIX
  - National Parks
  - Tiger Reserves of India
  - Elephant Reserves in India
  - Mike Sites in India
  - Biosphere Reserves
  - Biosphere Reserves in UNESCO’s Map List
  - Ramsar Wetland Sites
  - Natural World Heritage Sites
  - List of Sacred Groves
  - Mangrove Sites in India
  - Pollution
    - Key activities and Likely Associate Air Pollutants
    - Respiratory Irritants and Toxic Chemicals
  - Recent Developments
    - Mobile Tower Radiation
    - Shrinking of Cauvery Delta
    - Use of Garbage to Construct Road
    - Moss as Pollution Monitor
    - Graded Plan for Air Pollution
    - Air Quality Index
    - Polluter Pay Principle
    - Pesticide Poisoning
    - Aerosols
    - Anti-Smog guns
    - Particulate matter
    - Nalanda Model of Water Conservation
    - Wetland Rules, 2017
    - Permaculture and Monoculture
    - Sand Mining Guidelines
    - Coastal Erosion (Parali Island)
    - Bottom Trawling to Deep Sea Fishing
    - ‘Wadi’ Model
    - Re-greening of Village Commons Project
    - Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage
    - Namami Ganga Programme
    - River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016
    - Smart Ganga City Scheme
    - Ganga Task Force
    - Ganga, Yamuna termed ‘living persons’
    - National Capacity Building Project for Waste Management
    - NGT Bans Plastic
    - Mission Innovation
    - Tribunal – Dumping Waste in Ganga
    - Ease in Norms for Sewage Plants
    - Organic Waste to Make Green Fuel
    - New Technologies for Waste Management
    - Melting of Antarctic Iceberg
    - Melting of Gangotri Glacier
    - Carbon Capture
    - Black Carbon
    - 30^th Montreal Protocol and World Ozone Day
    - El-Nino Caused Record CO₂ Spike
    - Glaciers in Asia to sink
    - Tropics emit more Carbon
    - Climate change impact on Natural Heritage Sites - Impact on Sunderbans
    - Marine Diversity in Antarctica under threat
    - Carbon Credit
    - 2^nd Kyoto Protocol
    - Green Metro System
    - Negative Emissions
    - Geo-engineering Climate Change
    - Sequestering CO₂
    - Bonn Challenge
    - COP-23
    - Air Quality Index likely to be added to ‘playing condition”
    - HFCs - India to eliminate use by 2030
    - Kigali agreement
    - Carbon Neutrality Concept
    - Marrakesh Climate Change Conference
    - International Solar Alliance (ISA)
    - Kyoto Protocol (2^nd Commitment 2013-20)
    - Climate Change Performance Index