Module Code and Title : EVS301 Environmental Science

Programme : BE in Civil Engineering

Credit : 12
Module Tutors : Mr. Basant Pradhan & Mr. Bharat K Humagai
Module Coordinator : Mr. Bharat K Humagai

General Objective:
The module aims to introduce the concepts of environment and associated issues such as poverty,
disaster risk reduction and gender. It dwells on the key emerging environmental pressures in the
country and the corresponding adaptation measures in response to the pressure. Mainstreaming of
cross cutting issues (environment, climate change, poverty, disaster and gender) into policies and
plans and mainstreaming tools such as SEA and EIA are also introduced.

Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Explain man-environment relationship and emerging sustainability problems/issues.
2. Prepare a range of innovative and proactive adaptation and disaster resilient measures to respond
to climate change.
3. Suggest remedial measures to overcome environmental pressures.
4. Explain Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
5. Describe the concept of Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment
6. Evaluate Risk Assessment on disaster risk reduction.
7. Describe mainstreaming of Environment, Climate change and Poverty.
8. Explain the framework to mainstream Environment, Climate Change and Poverty (ECP)

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Approach Hours per Week Total Credit Hours
Lecture 3 45
Case study/Presentation/Group activities 1 15
Independent study/self-directed learning 4 60
Total 120
Assessment Approach:
Marks Marks
Sl. No. Mode of Assessment Nos.
Allocated (%)
1 Continuous Assessment (Theory)
Term Test I: in 5th week, Unit I-II
1.1 2 30
Term Test II: in 10th week, Unit III-IV
Assignment I: in 2nd week, Unit II (Identifying the remedial 2 10
measures to overcome the current environmental pressures).
Assignment II: in 7th week (Introduction to natural, climate
induced and manmade disasters such as floods, forest fires,
windstorm, earthquake, Glacial Lake Outbreak Flood
(GLOF).

1.2 Introduction.
Content approach. 0.5
0.5
Content depth and accuracy.
1
Use of scientific data.
1
Case study. 1
Conclusion. 50
0.5
References. 0.5
Presentation & case study: in 2nd week (Energy, land 1 10
degradation, pollution, air, water, soil, forest and mineral
resources relating to state, pressures and response strategies).
Assessment criteria (Presentation)
Organisation. 2
Style. 2
1.3
Pace. 1
Content depth. 1
Content accuracy. 2
Use of visual aids. 1
Responsiveness to audience. 1
Time. 1
2 Semester End Examination: 3 hours, closed book. 1 50 50

Pre-requisite: None

Subject Matter:
Unit I: Introduction to Environment and other Crosscutting issues.
1.1 Introduction to environment: Concepts, scope and importance and sustainability.
1.2 Human-environment-development relationship: construing environment as opportunity and means
of livelihood particularly for the poor.
1.3 Concepts of Environmental governance, Environment in GNH and five-year plans and
Sustainable development.
Unit II: Emerging Environmental Issues and interventions to address them
2.1 Climate Change
2.2 Brief introduction to Climate change and national and international commitments (for example
carbon neutrality) to climate change.
2.3 Causes of climate change, both natural and anthropogenic.
2.4 Impact of climate change in general and in Bhutanese context
2.5 International obligation for Adaptation and adaptation measures initiated in Bhutan (Experience
sharing on the National Adaptation Plan of Action and other successful adaptation interventions)
and elsewhere.
2.6 Greenhouse emission and policy measures to reduce greenhouse gas emission.
2.7 Introduction to waste, different types of waste and impacts: municipal waste, industrial waste, e-
wastes and hazardous waste.
2.8 Integrated Solid Waste Management and using solid waste as resource
2.9 Solid Waste Management Act.
2.10 Land degradation: Causes (Urbanization, agricultural practices, change in land use pattern,
developmental activities), impacts, adaptation and mitigation.
2.11 Air, Forest and Mineral resources: State, Pressures and Response strategies.
2.12 Pollution Issues: Noise, Thermal Pollution: causes, impacts and adaptive and interventions

Unit III: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Approaches

3.1 Introduction to natural, climate induced and manmade disasters such as floods, forest fires,
windstorm, earthquake, Glacial Lake Outbreak Flood (GLOF).
3.2 Causes and impacts of disasters.
3.3 Disaster Risk Analysis/ Risk Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction
3.4 Innovative and proactive measures, including non-structural mitigation measures (falling hazards)
initiated in Bhutan and beyond in managing and reducing the risk of disaster.

Unit IV: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.1 Principles and theoretical background of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), including
social impact assessment (SIA).
4.2 Introduction to SEA, Difference between SEA and EIA, Rationale and importance/benefit of
SEA, Challenges of conducting SEA, limitation and emerging criticism on SEA.

Unit V: Mainstreaming of cross cutting issue (ECP, DRR and Gender) into development
policies, plan and programs
5.1 Concepts of mainstreaming, approaches and tools for mainstreaming, challenges.
5.2 Mainstreaming of ECPM into Development policies, plans and programmes in Bhutan.
Reading Lists:
Essential Reading
1. Canter, L.W. (1996). Environmental Impact Assessment. Singapore: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
2. Davis, H.L., & Masten, S.J. (2004). Principles of Environmental Engineering & Sciences. New
York, NY: McGraw Hill
3. Masters, G.M. (1991). Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science, New Delhi:
Prentice-Hall India Pvt. Ltd.
4. Nebel, B. J., (1987).Environmental Science, Prentice-Hall Inc.
5. Therivel, R. (2004). Strategic Environmental Assessment in Action. London: Earthsca
Additional Reading
1. Clayton, B.D., & Bass, S. (2009). The challenges of environmental mainstreaming: Experience of
integrating environment into development institutions and decisions. London: Environmental
Governance No.3. International Institute for Environment and Development.
2. Clayton, B.D., & Sadler, B. (2005). Strategic Environmental Assessment: A sourcebook and
reference guide to international experience. London: Earthscan.
3. Wright, R.T., & Nebel, B.J. (2002). Environmental Science: Towards a Sustainable
Future.
6. Cunningham, W.P., & Cunningham, M. A. (2007). Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry
& Application (4 ed.) New Delhi: McGraw Hill Inc.
7. P Wathern, Unwin Hyman (1988). Environmental Impact Assessment: Theory and Practice,
London.

Date: March 5, 2016

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