About

About the Department

The Department of Environmental Studies is one of the youngest departments of Indraprastha College for Women and was established in the year 2014. The Department was set up as a response to the University of Delhi’s direction for all colleges to initiate a One Semester Compulsory Course on Environmental Studies. The University’s direction made it mandatory for every student who took admission in the academic year 2014-15 in any college of DU, to undertake one Semester, compulsory course on Environmental Science. Introducing environmental education at the foundational level, the department ensures that as students step out into their respective professional fields, they carry a deep-rooted sense of ecological responsibility. It transforms environmental awareness from an academic requirement into a lifelong commitment to sustainable living.

Thrust Areas / Expertise / Research Areas:

The faculties at Department of Environmental Studies at Indraprastha College for Women are engaged in research in diverse research areas such Environmental Resource Management and Policy Governance with traditional Indian Knowledge Systems to foster lifelong sustainability and civic responsibility, glaciology, water resource management, remote sensing & GIS applications, environmental impact assessment and climate change studies in the Himalayas, environmental toxicology and soil microbiology, conservation ecology, invasion ecology, gender and environment and Ecotoxicology. 

Important Milestones: Since its inception, the Department of Environmental Science has pioneered a sustainable, research-driven campus ecosystem through impactful ecological audits, strategic waste-management partnerships, and specialized climate education.

  • Strategic MoUs for Waste Management: Established key partnerships to ensure responsible waste disposal across campus, including:
    • An MoU with CHINTAN NGO for dedicated plastic and e-waste collection.
    • An MoU with GREENOBIN to streamline campus paper recycling.
  • Green Infrastructure (Jan 2020): Successfully installed and commissioned an Organic Waste Compost Machine on college grounds to promote a zero-waste campus ecosystem.
  • Paper Recycling Drives: Partnered with NIDAAN to conduct ongoing, campus-wide paper recycling drives.
  • Tree Census (2024): Conducted a comprehensive Campus Tree Census to map, quantify, and document the institution's green cover.
  • Bird Diversity Census (2026): Undertook a detailed Bird Diversity Census to monitor local avian populations and assess the health of the campus ecosystem.
  • Air Quality Assessment: Launched the "Dust Attenuation Project" to monitor, evaluate, and mitigate localized air pollution in 2020. 
  • Carbon Footprint Assessment: Conducted an institutional Carbon Footprint Audit to quantify greenhouse gas emissions and guide future sustainability strategies.
  • Climate & Conservation Certificate Course (2020): Successfully curated and delivered a 30-hour online certificate program titled "Climate, Community, and Conservation".
  • Climate Change Mitigation Certificate Course (2022): Expanded academic offerings with a second 30-hour online certificate course titled "Climate Change: Adaptation and Mitigation".

NEP 2020 Initiatives and Implementation:

With the introduction of the New Education Policy (NEP) in the University of Delhi in the academic year 2022-23, Environmental Science is now a 4 Credit Ability Enhancement Course (AEC) spread over two semesters. The Department of Environmental Studies coordinates and teaches the AEC Course on Environmental Science to all students who are enrolled in all the other Departments of the College. The department also offers a wide cohort of GEC, VAC and SEC papers for the students under the new NEP framework. The Department offers specialized, practical courses designed to build tangible ecological skills and environmental literacy such as Wetlands for Industries and Environment focuses on the critical role of wetland ecosystems in industrial wastewater management and conservation, while Viewing and Capturing Diversity in Nature equips students with the skills to scientifically observe and visually document local biodiversity. Complementing these is Nursery, Gardening, and Landscaping, a hands-on course that trains students in plant propagation, urban greening, and sustainable landscape design, blending ecological science with professional, practical expertise. The curriculum further explores the human dimensions of ecology through highly relevant, specialized courses. Environment and Society investigates the complex, reciprocal relationship between human cultures, social structures, and the natural world, while Human-Wildlife Conflict and Management addresses the practical challenges of coexistence, equipping students with ecological, legal, and community-based strategies to mitigate friction and protect shared habitats. The department also offers a suite of forward-looking, solution-oriented courses designed to address modern urban and industrial challenges. Environmental Auditing and Green Technologies equip students with the analytical tools and eco-friendly innovations necessary to assess corporate sustainability and reduce carbon footprints. Complementing these, Green Belt Development for Smart Cities focuses on urban forestry and strategic vegetation planning to mitigate pollution, while Prospecting E-waste for Sustainability tackles the growing global crisis of electronic waste by teaching resource recovery, circular economy principles, and safe recycling practices.

List of Faculty Members

Dr. S Asta Lakshmi, Assistant Professor
Dr. Neha Mishra, Assistant Professor
Dr. Nawin Kumar Tiwary, Assistant Professor
Dr. Nikki, Assistant Professor
Dr. Shanta Kumar, Assistant Professor
Ms. Viniti Nagar, Assistant Professor
Mr. Tridev, Assistant Professor
Ms. Mrinalini Singh, Assistant Professor
Mr Arvind Negi, Assistant Professor (Guest Faculty)