Environment UPSC Syllabus

23rd April 2022

GS MICRO TOPICS

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::Environment::

Environment (Prelims)

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

Environment (Mains)

UPSC SYLLABUS

Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Disaster and disaster management.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY: BASIC UNDERSTANDING

Introduction
Categories of Environment
Features of Environment
Components of Environment
Ecology

ECOSYSTEM AND ITS DYNAMICS

Ecosystem Definitions
Properties of Ecosystem
Components of Ecosystem
- Abiotic Factors
- Biotic Factors
Ecosystem Dynamics

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

Gaseous Cycle
- Carbon Cycle
Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle
Effects of High Concentration of Greenhouse Gases
- Hydrological Cycle
- Nitrogen Cycle
- Human Impact on the Nitrogen Cycle
- Oxygen Cycle
Sedimentary Cycle
- Sulphur Cycle
Human Impact on the Sulphur Cycle
- Phosphorus Cycle

TYPES OF ECOSYSTEMS

Terrestrial Ecosystem
Aquatic Ecosystem
Changes in Ecosystem
Ecosystem Conservation
Ecology vs. Economy

POPULATION ECOLOGY

Population Characteristics
Population Growth Models
Species
Carrying Capacity of Earth

BIOSPHERE

Extent of the Biosphere
Working of the Biosphere
Importance of the Biosphere
Alpha, Beta, Gamma Diversity
Biomes
Global Biomes
- Major Biomes of the World
- WWF Classification of Biomes
- Terrestrial Biomes
- Aquatic Biomes
Indian Biomes

BIODIVERSITY

Types of Biodiversity
Value of the Biodiversity
Threats to Biodiversity
- Causes of Biodiversity losses (‘The Evil Quartet’)
- Invasive species
- Effects of Loss of Bio-Diversity
Extinction of Species
Types – Natural, Mass, Anthropogenic
Causes of Extinction
Consequences of Extinction of Species

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Conservation Strategies
Conservation Tools
IUCN
IUCN Red List
Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESAs)
In-situ methods of conservation of biodiversity
- Advantages of In-situ Conservation
- Disadvantages of In-situ conservation
Ex-situ Methods of Conservation of Biodiversity

POLLUTION & DEGRADATION

Land Degradation
- Causes and Impact of Land Degradation
- Desertification
- Sustainable Land Management
- Soil Erosion
- Problems due to Excessive Irrigation
- Soil Conservation
Air Pollution
- Causes of Air Pollution
- Harmful Effects of Common Air Pollutants
- Control of Air Pollution
Marine Pollution
- Effects of Marine Pollution
- Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011
Mining & Pollution
- Effects of Mining on Environment
- Concept of Sustainable Mining
- Acts to regulate the adverse effects of Mining Activities
Other Pollution
- Effects of Noise Pollution on Human Health
- Harmful Effects from Biological Contaminants
- Harmful Effects of Radioactive Pollution
- Nuclear Accidents
Water Degradation
- Measurement of Water Pollution
- Harmful Effects of Water Pollution
- Delhi Pollution

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Solid Waste Management
- Salient features of SWM Rules, 2016
e-waste Management
- Pollutants and their Health Impacts
- Importance of the E-Waste Management
- E-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2016
Biomedical Waste
- Hazards Associated with Waste Management
- Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
Hazardous Waste
- Hazardous Waste Treatment
- Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

CLIMATE CHANGE

Factors Affecting Climate Change
Impact of climate change & its mitigation
Climate Change Management
- Conventions
- International Organisations

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Impact of Agriculture on Environment
- Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Agriculture
- Hi-tech Farming Methods
- Rain Water Harvesting
- Green Buildings and their Rating System in India
Eco-tourism – Advantages & Disadvantages of Eco-tourism

Contemporary Issues: Environment (Mains)

WILDLIFE

Man-Animal Conflicts in India
Poaching activities in India
Development leads to tiger extinction
Elephant Conservation
International treaties for wildlife conservation Use of drones for wildlife conservation
Urban Land Acting as Death Traps for Birds
Eco-Bridges and Biodiversity Management
Suderbans at risk due to Climate Change
Critical Wildlife Habitats
Declining Population of Pollinators
International treaties for Wildlife Conservation