ES-301 Energy and Environmental Engineering - Dec 2025 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aWhat is energy? Write various conventional and non-conventional energy sources.
   How to answer

   • Define energy and its forms/units
   • List conventional sources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydro, nuclear
   • List non-conventional sources: solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, tidal
   • Brief distinction between conventional and non-conventional
2. 7 Marks
   bWhat is solar energy? Discuss the importance and limitations of solar energy.
   How to answer

   • Define solar energy as radiant energy from sun
   • Importance: renewable, clean, abundant, decentralized applications
   • Limitations: intermittent, low density, high initial cost, storage need
   • Concluding remark on scope
3. 7 Marks
   aDefine ecology and ecosystem. Give a brief account of different components of an ecosystem.
   How to answer

   • Define ecology and ecosystem
   • Biotic components: producers, consumers, decomposers
   • Abiotic components: climatic, edaphic, energy, nutrients
   • Interaction and functional diagram of ecosystem
4. 7 Marks
   bWhat is food chain. Name and explain various types of food chains with suitable examples.
   How to answer

   • Define food chain and trophic levels
   • Types: grazing, detritus, parasitic food chains
   • Suitable examples for each type
   • Significance in energy flow
5. 7 Marks
   aWhat is Biodiversity? What are the major factors responsible for the loss genetic biodiversity? How can biodiversity be conserved?
   How to answer

   • Define biodiversity and its levels
   • Major factors for loss of genetic biodiversity: habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation
   • Conservation strategies: in-situ and ex-situ in brief
   • Need for conservation
6. 7 Marks
   bExplain In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity along with their merits and demerits.
   How to answer

   • Define in-situ conservation with examples: national parks, sanctuaries
   • Define ex-situ conservation with examples: zoos, gene banks
   • Merits of each method
   • Demerits/limitations of each method
7. 7 Marks
   aExplain Water pollution. Enlist various sources of water pollution giving their adverse effects. How water pollution can be minimized?
   How to answer

   • Define water pollution and key pollutants
   • Sources: domestic, industrial, agricultural, oil spills
   • Adverse effects on health and aquatic life
   • Minimization: treatment, reuse, legislation, awareness
8. 7 Marks
   bExplain the term solid waste. What are the adverse effects of solid waste in society? Discuss various methods for disposal of solid wastes.
   How to answer

   • Define solid waste and its types
   • Adverse effects: health, aesthetic, soil and water contamination
   • Disposal methods: landfill, composting, incineration, recycling
   • Suitable method selection and hierarchy
9. 7 Marks
   aExplain the concept of Environmental Ethics. Discuss its importance in environmental decision-making.
   How to answer

   • Define environmental ethics and its principles
   • Importance: moral responsibility, sustainability, intergenerational equity
   • Role in environmental decision-making with examples
   • Conclusion on sustainable development
10. 7 Marks
    bWrite short notes on:

    1. i)Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R)
    2. ii)Rainwater harvesting
    How to answer

    • R&R: meaning, need due to development projects, issues and measures
    • Rainwater harvesting: concept, methods, rooftop and recharge structures
    • Benefits of both in sustainability
    • Brief conclusion
11. 7 Marks
    aDefine nuclear energy ? State the advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear energy as a source of electricity.
    How to answer

    • Define nuclear energy and fission/fusion basis
    • Advantages: high energy density, low emissions, reliable base load
    • Disadvantages: radioactive waste, accident risk, high cost
    • Suitability as electricity source
12. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss the use of biomass energy as non-conventional source of energy. What are the advantages of biomass energy.
    How to answer

    • Define biomass energy and sources: wood, crop residue, biogas
    • Conversion technologies: combustion, gasification, anaerobic digestion
    • Advantages: renewable, carbon-neutral, waste utilization
    • Limitations in brief
13. 7 Marks
    aExplain Disaster management? Explain the causes, effects and control measures of flood.
    How to answer

    • Define disaster management and its phases
    • Flood causes: heavy rainfall, deforestation, encroachment
    • Effects: life, property, health and economic loss
    • Control measures: structural and non-structural measures
14. 7 Marks
    bWhat are the main goals of forest conservation Act 1980?
    How to answer

    • Background of Forest Conservation Act 1980
    • Main goals: check deforestation, regulate diversion of forest land
    • Conservation and sustainable use provisions
    • Role of central approval and penalties
15. 7 Marks
    aExplain about main causes,effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes.
    How to answer

    • Define urban and industrial wastes and types
    • Causes/sources: population, industrialization, consumption
    • Effects on health, soil, water and air
    • Control: segregation, recycling, treatment and legislation
16. 7 Marks
    bWhat is sustainable development? Explain its objectives and significance in modern society.
    How to answer

    • Define sustainable development and Brundtland concept
    • Objectives: economic growth, social equity, environmental protection
    • Significance in modern society with examples
    • Role in future planning