The environment is defined, perceived, and valued diversely by different countries, cultures, and communities. A healthy environment ensures human security, which means everyone has the access to food and water, employment and livelihood stability, resilience to climate change and extreme weather events, and also social and political stability. As the demand for food, fodder, fuel, and raw material grows, it increases the pressure on the environment and the competition for natural resources. Both human and natural activities have caused the physical, chemical, and biological degradation of the environment.

The Environment covers the basic components of environment, ecology, biomes, and biodiversity. The book gives an analytical understanding of the topics. While the book covers major international topics, it has a strong focus on India too. The book will help candidates appearing for competitive examinations such as civil services. It is also extremely useful for readers interested in environment science, environment chemistry, and related subjects.

Target Audience
Students appearing for competitive examinations such as civil services, researchers
Table of Contents
Preface

Basic Components of the Environment
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Types of Environment
1.3 Segments of Environment
1.4 Environmental Pollution
1.5 Environmental Pollution and Health
Summary
Exercise

Ecology
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Ecosystems
2.3 Biogeochemical Cycles
2.4 Food Chains, Food Webs, and Ecological Pyramids
2.5 Functions of Ecosystem
2.6 Degradation of ecosystem
Summary
Exercise

Biomes
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Major Biomes on Earth
3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems
3.4 Threat to Aquatic Ecosystems
Summary
Exercise

Biodiversity
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Value of Biodiversity
4.3 Uses of Biodiversity
4.4 Threats to Biodiversity
4.5 Endemic Species in India
4.6 Wetlands, Mangroves, and Coral Reefs
4.7 Conservation of Biodiversity
4.8 Hotspots of Biodiversity
Summary
Exercise

Environmental Degradation, Pollution, and Conservation
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Environment Degradation
5.3 Environmental Pollution
5.4 Conservation and Management of the Environment
5.5 Management of Environmental Quality
5.6 Environment Protection Acts
Summary
Exercise

Environmental Disasters and Their Management
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Human-made Disasters
6.3 Natural Disasters
6.4 Disaster Management
6.5 Impact of Disasters on the Environment
Summary
Exercise

Natural Resources
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Types of Natural Resources
7.3 Earth Resources
7.4 Renewable and Non-renewable Resources
7.5 Energy
7.6 Nuclear Energy
7.7 Status of Power Generation in India from Renewable Resources
7.8 Role of an Individual in Conservation of Natural Resources
7.9 Management of Resources for a Sustainable Lifestyle
Summary
Exercise

Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Major Crops in India
8.3 Some Miscellaneous Crops
8.4 Fruit Crops
8.5 Vegetable Crops
Summary
Exercise

Environmental Engineering
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Hydrology
9.3 Irrigation Engineering
9.4 Water Resource Engineering
9.5 Radioactive Pollution
9.6 Sustainable Development
9.7 Environment Protection Acts
9.8 Environment Impact Assessment