Page 10 - Guidelines for Training/ Orientation of Faculty on IKS

Unit II. Natural Resources and Sustainable Development

Learning Outcomes
After completion of this unit, students would be able to:

• Understand the concept of natural resources; identify types of natural resources, their
distribution and use with special reference to India.

• Discuss the factors affecting the availability of natural resources, their conservation and
management.
• Explain sustainable development, its goals, targets, challenges and global strategies for
sustainable development.

Unit Outline
Overview of natural resources: Definition of resource; Classification of natural resources- biotic and
abiotic, renewable and non-renewable.

Biotic resources: Major type of biotic resources- forests, grasslands, wetlands, wildlife and aquatic (fresh
water and marine); Microbes as a resource; Status and challenges.

Water resources: Types of water resources- fresh water and marine resources; Availability and use of water
resources; Environmental impact of over-exploitation, issues and challenges; Water scarcity and stress;
Conflicts over water.
Soil and mineral resources: Important minerals; Mineral exploitation; Environmental problems due to
extraction of minerals and use; Soil as a resource and its degradation.

Energy resources: Sources of energy and their classification, renewable and non-renewable sources of
energy; Conventional energy sources- coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy; Non-conventional energy
sources- solar, wind, tidal, hydro, wave, ocean thermal, geothermal, biomass, hydrogen and fuel cells;
Implications of energy use on the environment.

Introduction to sustainable development: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)- targets and indicators,
challenges and strategies for SDGs.

Suggested readings
1. Chiras, D. D and Reganold, J. P. (2010). Natural Resource Conservation: Management for a
Sustainable Future.10th edition, Upper Saddle River, N. J. Benjamin/Cummins/Pearson.

2. John W. Twidell and Anthony D. (2015). Renewable Energy Sources, 3rd Edition, Weir Publisher
(ELBS)

3. William P.Cunningham and Mary A. (2015) Cunningham Environmental Science: A Global
Concern, Publisher (Mc-Graw Hill, USA)
4. Gilbert M. Masters and W. P. (2008). An Introduction to Environmental Engineering and
Science, Ela Publisher (Pearson)

5. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. & Gupta, S.R. 2006. Ecology, Environment and Resource
Conservation. Anamaya Publications https://sdgs.un.org/goals

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