"The United Nations Conference on `Environment and Development` held in Rio de Janerio in 1992 and World Summit on `Sustainable Development` held at Johannesburg in 2002 have drawn the attention of people around the globe to the deteriorating condition of our environment. It is clear that no citizen on the earth can afford to be ignorant of environmental issues, therefore, environmental study has become necessary for students. But, in India, adequate attention on environmental studies has not been given. Recognizing this, the Supreme Court of India directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to introduce a basic course on environment at every level in college education. Accordingly, the UGC has developed a core module syllabus in environmental studies for undergraduate course to be compulsorily implemented in all the universities/colleges of India. Divided into eight units, the present book is designed as per UGC syllabus. Starting from multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies, it deals with natural resources, ecosystems, biodiversity and its conservation, environmental pollution, social issues and the environment, human population and the environment, and finally, fieldwork. Appropriate Indian examples have been quoted throughout the book to enable students to understand the environmental problems of the country. The book will be an essential reading for students, teachers and researchers in environmental studies, geography and social science."