Syllabus
Theory
Introduction to Natural Resource Bases: Concept of resource, classification of natural resources. Factors influencing resource availability, distribution and uses. Interrelationships among different types of natural resources. Concern on Productivity issues. Ecological, social and economic dimension of resource management. Land resources: Land as a resource. Dry land, land use classification, land degradation, man induced landslides, soil erosion and desertification. Landscape impact analysis, wetland ecology and management. Water resources: Use and over-utilization of surface and ground water, floods, drought, conflicts over water, dams-benefits and problems. Water ecology and management. Energy resources: Growing energy needs, renewable and non renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources. Resource Management Paradigms: Resource management the evolution and history of resource management paradigms. Resource conflicts: Resource extraction, access and control system. Approaches in Resource Management: Ecological approach; economic approach; ethnological approach; implications of the approaches; integrated resource management strategies. Introduction to soil and water conservation and causes of soil erosion., Definition and agents of soil erosion, water erosion – Forms of water erosion, Gully classification and control measures. Soil loss estimation by universal soil loss equation – Soil loss measurement techniques. Principles of erosion control – Introduction to contouring, strip cropping. Contour bund – Graded bund and bench terracing. Wind erosion – Mechanics of wind erosion, types of soil movement – Principles of wind erosion control and its control measures, Water harvesting techniques – Lining of ponds, tanks and canal systems.
Practical
Identifying natural resources and their utility. Practicing survey – Principles and educating to use pacing technique for measurement. Area calculations through chain survey – GPS demo for tracking and area measurement. Estimation of soil loss and calculation of erosion index. Leveling concepts and practical utility in agriculture. Preparation of contour maps. Concept of vegetative water ways and design of grassed water ways. Wind erosion and estimation process. Different irrigation pumps and their constructional differences. Farm pond construction and its design aspects. Visit to nearby farm pond. Visit to an erosion site. Exposure to strip cropping/contour bunding.