Environment Notes for UPSC

Description

• Introduction to Environment and Ecology

  • Definition of Environment and Ecology
  • Components of the Environment (Biotic and Abiotic)
  • Levels of Ecological Organization (Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biosphere)
  • Scope and Importance of Environmental Studies

• Ecosystem and Its Components

  • Structure and Function of Ecosystems
  • Types of Ecosystems: Terrestrial and Aquatic
  • Food Chains, Food Webs, and Ecological Pyramids
  • Energy Flow in Ecosystems (10% Law, Trophic Levels)
  • Ecological Succession: Types and Examples
  • Biogeochemical Cycles: Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur Cycles

• Biodiversity and Conservation

  • Definition and Types of Biodiversity (Genetic, Species, Ecosystem)
  • Biodiversity Hotspots in India and the World
  • Importance and Threats to Biodiversity
  • Conservation Methods: In-situ and Ex-situ
  • National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves
  • Ramsar Wetlands, UNESCO World Heritage Sites related to Biodiversity

• Environmental Pollution and Degradation

  • Types of Pollution: Air, Water, Soil, Noise, and Thermal Pollution
  • Causes and Effects of Pollution
  • Control Measures and Technologies
  • Solid Waste Management: Types, Disposal Methods, and Challenges
  • E-waste, Plastic Waste, and Biomedical Waste Management
  • Pollution Control Acts and Regulations in India

• Climate Change and Global Warming

  • Greenhouse Effect and Greenhouse Gases
  • Causes and Effects of Climate Change
  • Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity, Agriculture, Health, and Livelihood
  • Ozone Layer Depletion and Montreal Protocol
  • International Efforts: UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement
  • India’s Initiatives to Combat Climate Change: National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans (SAPCC)

• Environmental Governance in India

  • Constitutional Provisions Related to Environment (Article 48A, 51A(g))
  • Important Environmental Laws: Environment Protection Act (1986), Air Act (1981), Water Act (1974), Forest Conservation Act (1980)
  • National Green Tribunal (NGT) and its Role
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • Environmental Clearance Processes
  • Public Participation and Role of NGOs in Environmental Governance

• Natural Resources and Their Management

  • Types of Natural Resources: Renewable and Non-Renewable
  • Sustainable Resource Management
  • Forest Resources: Types, Importance, and Depletion
  • Water Resources: Utilization, Conservation, and Disputes
  • Mineral and Energy Resources: Conventional and Non-conventional Energy Sources
  • Soil and Land Resources: Degradation and Conservation Techniques

• Environmental Organizations and Conventions

  • International Environmental Organizations: UNEP, IPCC, IUCN, WWF
  • Major International Environmental Conventions and Protocols:
    • Stockholm Conference (1972)
    • Rio Earth Summit (1992)
    • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
    • CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
    • Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions
    • Minamata Convention on Mercury
  • India’s Role in Global Environmental Governance

• Sustainable Development and Environmental Ethics

  • Concept of Sustainable Development
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Principles of Environmental Ethics
  • Ecological Footprint and Carbon Footprint
  • Green Economy and Circular Economy
  • Role of Technology in Sustainable Development

• Disaster Management and Environmental Hazards

  • Types of Natural and Man-made Disasters: Earthquakes, Floods, Cyclones, Landslides, Nuclear Disasters
  • Disaster Management Cycle: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
  • National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Its Role
  • Early Warning Systems and Technologies
  • Environmental Impact of Disasters and Recovery Measures

• Environmental Movements in India

  • Chipko Movement, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Silent Valley Movement
  • Appiko Movement, Save Western Ghats Movement
  • Role of Grassroots Movements in Environmental Conservation
  • Environmental Activists and their Contributions

• Current Environmental Issues and Government Initiatives

  • Recent Environmental Policies and Schemes:
    • National Electric Mobility Mission Plan
    • FASTER Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME)
    • Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA)
    • Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
    • Swachh Bharat Mission
  • Urban Environmental Issues: Waste Management, Air Quality (AQI), and Water Scarcity
  • Emerging Environmental Technologies: Renewable Energy, Green Hydrogen, Biofuels
  • Environmental Performance Index (EPI) and India’s Ranking

• Environmental Impact on Health

  • Air and Water Pollution-Related Diseases
  • Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases
  • Role of WHO in Environmental Health
  • Environmental Health Indicators

• Agriculture and Environment

  • Impact of Agriculture on Environment
  • Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture Practices
  • Green Revolution and Its Environmental Consequences
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Sustainable Land Use

• Waste Management and Circular Economy

  • Types of Waste: Solid, Liquid, Hazardous, and E-waste
  • Waste-to-Energy Technologies
  • Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
  • Circular Economy Models and Success Stories

• Forest and Wildlife Resources

  • Types of Forests in India: Tropical, Deciduous, Mangroves, etc.
  • Forest Policy of India
  • Joint Forest Management (JFM)
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Amendments
  • Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and Other Wildlife Conservation Projects

• Water Resources and Wetland Conservation

  • Major Rivers and Water Bodies of India
  • Issues Related to Groundwater Depletion
  • National Water Policy
  • Wetland Conservation and Ramsar Sites in India
  • Interlinking of Rivers: Pros and Cons

• Energy and Environment

  • Conventional and Non-Conventional Energy Resources
  • Solar, Wind, Hydro, Biomass, and Geothermal Energy
  • National Solar Mission and India’s Renewable Energy Targets
  • Energy Efficiency and Conservation Measures
  • Challenges in Energy Transition and Energy Security

• Urbanization and Environmental Challenges

  • Urban Sprawl and Its Impact on Environment
  • Smart Cities Mission and Sustainable Urban Development
  • Urban Flooding and Waste Management
  • Air Quality Management in Urban Areas

• International Environmental Agreements and India’s Commitments

  • India’s INDCs (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions)
  • Role of India in COP Conferences
  • International Solar Alliance (ISA) and India’s Leadership
  • Global Environmental Agreements and Their Impact on India