Environmental Science Quiz

Environmental Education for Class XI

• Publication Details:
  • Book title: ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
  • Class: XI
  • Publisher: Assam Book Hive on behalf of Assam Higher Secondary Education Council
  • Publication location: Bamunimaidam, Guwahati-21
  • Publication date: Multiple editions published between 2012 and 2021
  • Price: Rs. 63.00

Preface

• Introduction of Environmental Studies: The new subject of Environmental Studies was introduced in the higher secondary first year, 2012-13, to raise awareness and interest among students.
• Road Safety: The inclusion of Road Safety was another initiative by the Supreme Court of Assam.
• Disaster Management: The book accommodates the subject of Disaster Management, as decided by the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council, to emphasize its importance.

The Authors

• Dr. Hari Prasad Sarma: Rector, Gauhati University, former Professor & Head of the Department of Environmental Science.
• Sri Hiren Nath, IPS: Inspector General of Police (Special Branch), with experience in Disaster Management and author of books on the subject.
• Sri Dwijen Das: Retired District Transport Officer in Assam Government, experienced in Road Safety training and author of books.
• Anurupa Choudhury: Deputy Secretary (Academic) within the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council, and Coordinator of this book project.

Environmental Education: Unit 1

• Basic Concept of Environment:
  • Introduction on the term environment and its origins
  • Key components of environment : Abiotic (non-living) components: Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere. Biotic(living): Flora and Fauna Energy: Solar, Geothermal, Hydro-electrical and Atomic energies
• Environmental Segments: Describes the four key elements of environment.
• Atmosphere: Describes the Earth's Atmosphere, its composition (primary and trace gases), and its role in maintaining the heat balance and shielding the planet from harmful UV radiation.
• Hydrosphere: Details water resources (oceans, lakes, rivers, etc.), their proportions, and direct use by humans.
• Lithosphere: Discusses the composition of soil as a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, air and water.
• Biosphere: Defines the layer of the earth supporting life and its interconnections with other environmental factors.

Environmental Education: Unit 2 - Ecological Concept

• Meaning of Ecology and Ecosystem: Provides a definition, explanations, examples and relationships within ecosystems (organisms, species, populations, communities, and ecosystems).
• Organisms: Broad overview of the living organisms on Earth.
• Species: Defines and distinguishes groups of organisms that can interbreed.
• Populations: Groups of individuals of a single species, living in a defined area at a given time.
• Communities: Interacting populations of various species occupying a particular area.
• Ecosystems: The interactions between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of an area, such as soil, rocks, water, energy sources and sunlight.
• Types of Ecosystems: Natural Ecosystems (terrestrial, aquatic, marine) are distinguished from artificial, man-made systems.

Environmental Education: Unit 3 - Biodiversity and its conservation

• Biodiversity: Definition of the variety and variability of life on Earth, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
• Genetic Biodiversity: The range of genes within a single species.
• Species Biodiversity: The range of species within a defined area.
• Ecosystem Biodiversity: The variety of habitats and ecological interconnections.
• Value of Biodiversity: Consumptive and Productive use Human consumption of natural resources Medicinal use of plants and other natural resources Traditional practices and beliefs Economic considerations through industries and products derived from nature
• Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat destruction, Overgrazing, Poaching, Natural calamities, climate change, and biopiracy.
  • Habitat destruction: Loss of natural habitats due to development projects and agriculture, particularly problematic in the Northeast (NE India).
• Overgrazing: Uncontrolled grazing damages grasslands and exposes topsoil to erosion, threatening biodiversity.
• Poaching: Illegal hunting of endangered species.
  • Natural calamities: Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, etc., damage habitats and cause loss of life, impacting biodiversity.
• Climate change and global warming: Impacts on ecosystems and species' survival

Environmental Education: Unit 4 - Natural Resources

• Natural Resources: Comprehensive explanation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (with detailed examples for different types)
• Forest Resources: Importance of forests, reasons for deforestation in Northeast India and ways to conserve them.
• Water Resources: Introduction on the importance of water supply to life, and the water supply of North East India with respect to ground water resources and surface water sources which can be used for irrigational and and industrial purposes.
• Land Resources: Soil structure, soil erosion and the threats caused from agricultural, industrial, constructional and other activities.
• Mineral Resources: Classification of minerals, their types and importance in different applications. Mineral resources of NE India

Environmental Education: Unit 5 - Environmental Pollution

• Introduction: Discusses environmental problems and pollution.
• Types of Pollution: Describes the different types of environmental pollution, including air, water, and soil pollution.
• Sources of Air Pollution: Provides natural and manmade sources, with details on various natural and manmade sources (e.g., volcanic eruptions, burning of fossil fuels).
• Classification of Pollutants: Categorizes pollutants by type (e.g., gases, particulate matter), with examples.
• Causes of Environmental Pollution: Natural and anthropogenic causes.
• Water Pollution: Describes various sources of water pollution and its dangers to human health.
• Soil Pollution: Discusses sources, including industrial and urban wastes, and its effects.
• Noise Pollution: Discusses noise pollution, its sources and effects.

Environmental Education: Unit 6 - Social Issues and Environment

• Concept of Sustainable Development: Defines sustainable development and its impact on social issues as well as environmental protection.
• Energy Utilization and Conservation: Discusses different types of energy sources, renewable and non-renewable energies, importance of conservation of energy, and technological advancements for efficient energy saving.
• Global Warming and greenhouse effect: Explanation of the role of greenhouse gases and climatic changes.
• Depletion of Ozone Layer: Discusses the damage to the ozone layer, its cause, and its consequences on human health.
• Acid Rain: A description of acid rain, its adverse effects, and relevant causes.

Environmental Education: Unit 2 - Disaster Management

• Introduction: Discusses the close relationship between humanity and nature, with special emphasis on the adverse natural factors.
• Types of Disasters: Distinguishes natural disasters from man-made disasters.
• Natural Disasters: Lists different types of natural disasters with emphasis on examples specific in India, like earthquakes, floods, cyclones, tsunamis, landslides etc, and their effects on the people and other living organisms.
• Man-made Disasters: Gives examples of man-made disasters with emphasis on their effects.
• Disaster Management Initiatives: Discusses disaster-management policies on national, state and local-community levels in India.
• Role of Students in Disaster Management: Outlines how students can participate in disaster management activities

Environmental Education: Unit 3 - Road Safety

• Introduction: Importance of road safety
• Causes of Road Accidents: Discusses human, infrastructure and environmental factors as causes of road accidents.
• Rules of the road: Gives rules for road safety and specific rules for school buses.
• Traffic Lights and Road Signs: Explanation of different types of traffic signals and road signs
• Traffic Regulations: Details and application of road safety rules, eg use of helmets and seatbelts, and drinking and driving.
• Driving Licence: Importance and types of driving license, with respect to different types of vehicles.
• Road safety-related initiatives: The need for improved road safety management, enforcement, and appropriate government legislation.

Project

• General guidelines for carrying out a project for this subject, with suggestions.
• Detailed instructions on possible topics for project work (including fieldwork and observations).
• Suggested topics about relevant environmental issues.