Book excerpt: The Importance Of Environmental Studies Cannot Be Disputed Since The Need For Sustainable Development Is A Key To The Future Of Mankind. Recognising This, The Honourable Supreme Court Of India Directed The Ugc To Introduce A Basic Course On Environmental Education For Undergraduate Courses In All Disciplines, To Be Implemented By Every University In The Country. Accordingly, The Ugc Constituted An Expert Committee To Formulate A Six-Month Core Module Syllabus For Environmental Studies. This Textbook Is The Outcome Of The Ugc S Efforts And Has Been Prepared As Per The Syllabus. It Is Designed To Bring About An Awareness On A Variety Of Environmental Concerns. It Attempts To Create A Pro-Environmental Attitude And A Behavioural Pattern In Society That Is Based On Creating Sustainable Lifestyles And A New Ethic Towards Conservation. This Textbook Stresses On A Balanced View Of Issues That Affect Our Daily Lives. These Issues Are Related To The Conflict Between Existing `Development Strategies And The Need For `Conservation . It Not Only Makes The Student Better Informed On These Concerns, But Is Expected To Lead The Student Towards Positive Action To Improve The Environment. Based On A Multidisciplinary Approach That Brings About An Appreciation Of The Natural World And Human Impact On Its Integrity, This Textbook Seeks Practical Answers To Make Human Civilization Sustainable On The Earth S Finite Resources. Attractively Priced At Rupees One Hundred And Fifteen Only, This Textbook Covers The Syllabus As Structured By The Ugc, Divided Into 8 Units And 50 Lectures. The First 7 Units, Which Cover 45 Lectures Are Classroom Teaching-Based, And Enhance Knowledge Skills And Attitude To Environment. Unit 8 Is Based On Field Activities To Be Covered In 5 Lecture Hours And Would Provide Students With First Hand Knowledge On Various Local Environmental Issues.