UGC asks DU to start undergraduate course on environmental science

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued directive to the Delhi University to introduce environmental science as a mandatory subject in its undergraduate course curriculum this academic sessions onwards. The 2014-15 sessions commenced from July 21.

Increase in the occurrence of environmental hazards, directives were issued to colleges by the UGC as per the Supreme Court's order. The SC's had ordered to begin a six-month environmental science course which was deferred eventually due to lack of infrastructural needs.

The first directive to DU was issued on May 2, 2014. Since no action was taken by the university, the UGC issued the second directive when DU's 2014-15 UG session had already started.

A special committee has been set up to devise the curriculum of the new course. The committee recommended the syllabus to be split into eight units, with five lectures raising awareness on environment and sustainability.