ES-301 Energy & Environmental Engineering - Jun 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
   aDescribe the different stages involved in the extraction, processing and utilization of coal as a fossil fuel.
   How to answer

   • Coal mining methods (surface vs. underground mining)
   • Processing/beneficiation: crushing, washing, and grading to reduce ash and sulfur
   • Transportation and storage methods
   • Utilization: thermal power generation, metallurgy/coking, industrial heating
   • Combustion and gasification processes
2. 7 Marks
   bWhat are the environmental impacts associated with each stage. Discuss
   How to answer

   • Mining impacts: land degradation, habitat destruction, acid mine drainage (AMD), subsidence
   • Processing impacts: coal slurry generation, water pollution, fugitive dust
   • Utilization impacts: greenhouse gas emissions (CO2), particulate matter, SOx, NOx, acid rain
   • Solid waste issues: fly ash and bottom ash disposal and leaching
3. 7 Marks
   aCompare and contrast the different types of hydro energy technology and also discuss their applications, advantages and limitations.
   How to answer

   • Classification of hydro technologies: impoundment, diversion/run-of-the-river, and pumped storage
   • Comparative table covering scale, head requirements, continuous vs peak power generation
   • Applications: grid stabilization, base load vs peak load support, energy storage
   • Advantages: renewable, zero direct emissions during operation, low operational cost
   • Limitations: high capital cost, displacement of communities, ecological disturbance
4. 7 Marks
   bIllustrate the concept of energy sustainability and its relationship with environmental, social and economic development.
   How to answer

   • Definition of energy sustainability: meeting present energy needs without compromising future generations
   • Environmental pillar: minimizing emissions, resource depletion, and ecological footprint
   • Social pillar: energy equity, accessibility, health, and quality of life
   • Economic pillar: energy security, affordability, industrial growth, and cost competitiveness
   • Diagram of the three overlapping pillars of sustainable development
5. 7 Marks
   aDescribe the structure and function of a forest ecosystem, including the role of producers, consumers and decomposers.
   How to answer

   • Structural components: abiotic factors (soil, climate, light) and biotic factors
   • Stratification of a forest (canopy, understory, forest floor)
   • Role of primary producers (trees, shrubs, ground cover)
   • Role of consumers (primary/herbivores, secondary/carnivores, tertiary)
   • Role of decomposers and detritivores (fungi, bacteria, earthworms) in nutrient recycling
   • Key functions: energy flow, biogeochemical cycling, ecological balance
6. 7 Marks
   bHow does the human activities impact forest ecosystems and mention its consequences on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
   How to answer

   • Major human activities: deforestation, logging, urbanization, mining, forest fires, agricultural expansion
   • Impact on biodiversity: habitat loss, fragmentation, species endangerment and extinction
   • Consequences on provisioning services: loss of timber, medicinal plants, clean water
   • Consequences on regulating services: soil erosion, microclimate changes, loss of carbon sequestration
   • Impact on cultural and supporting services
7. 7 Marks
   aExplain in brief about the energy flow and nutrient cycling in an aquatic ecosystem.
   How to answer

   • Unidirectional energy flow: solar energy capture by phytoplankton to zooplankton, fish, apex predators
   • Thermodynamic principles and 10% energy transfer rule in aquatic chains
   • Nutrient cycling mechanisms: autotroph uptake, food web transfer, sedimentation, and microbial decomposition
   • Upwelling and overturning in redistributing benthic nutrients
   • Schematic diagram illustrating aquatic food chain and nutrient loop
8. 7 Marks
   bMention the importance of community involvement in biodiversity conservation efforts in India.
   How to answer

   • Importance of local knowledge and indigenous practices in resource stewardship
   • Community initiatives: Chipko movement, Bishnoi community's wildlife protection
   • Sacred groves and community reserves in India
   • Joint Forest Management (JFM) and Biological Diversity Act, 2002 provisions (Biodiversity Management Committees)
   • Sustainable livelihood integration with conservation efforts
9. 7 Marks
   aExplain the concept of hotspots of biodiversity. Describe the different hotspots of biodiversity in India.
   How to answer

   • Definition and criteria by Norman Myers: high endemism (≥1500 vascular plants) and severe threat (lost ≥70% of primary vegetation)
   • Four biodiversity hotspots in India:
   • 1. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: evergreen forests, high endemic fauna
   • 2. Eastern Himalayas: alpine meadows, diverse floral/faunal species
   • 3. Indo-Burma: North-East India region
   • 4. Sundaland: including Nicobar Islands
10. 7 Marks
    bDescribe the role of India in global biodiversity conservation efforts.
    How to answer

    • India's status as one of the 17 megadiverse nations
    • Signatory to international treaties: CBD, CITES, Ramsar Convention, CMS
    • Flagship conservation programs: Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Snow Leopard
    • Legislative framework: Wildlife Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act, Biological Diversity Act
    • Role in global south leadership and biodiversity finance mechanisms
11. 7 Marks
    aDescribe the causes, effects and control measures of air pollution in urban areas. How can individuals contribute to reducing air pollution?
    How to answer

    • Causes: vehicular emissions, industrial discharge, construction dust, waste burning
    • Effects: respiratory disorders, smog formation, acid rain, cardiovascular diseases
    • Technical/Urban control measures: catalytic converters, electrostatic precipitators, green belts, EV adoption
    • Individual contribution: using public transport/carpooling, reducing energy consumption, proper vehicle maintenance, avoiding open burning
12. 7 Marks
    bExplain in brief about the government's responsibilities in mitigating the air pollution issue in urban area.
    How to answer

    • Enactment and enforcement of strict legislation: Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
    • Setting emission and fuel standards (e.g., Bharat Stage VI norms)
    • Monitoring and public reporting: continuous ambient air quality monitoring (AQI display)
    • Initiatives and programs: National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), promoting EV infrastructure, mass rapid transit (metros)
13. 7 Marks
    aDiscuss the impact of urbanization on the environment.
    How to answer

    • Land use and land cover changes: destruction of agricultural land and green spaces
    • Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect due to asphalt, concrete, and waste heat
    • Stress on water resources and groundwater overexploitation
    • Generation of massive municipal solid waste and sewage
    • Increased air, noise, and water pollution
14. 7 Marks
    bDescribe the different strategies for mitigating the environmental impacts of urbanization.
    How to answer

    • Smart city planning and compact development with mixed-use zoning
    • Green infrastructure: rooftop gardens, urban parks, permeable pavements
    • Promotion of sustainable public transportation and active mobility (cycling, pedestrian walkways)
    • Water conservation and management: mandatory rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling
    • Integrated municipal solid waste management and circular economy approaches
15. 14 Marks
    Explain in brief any two of the following:

    1. a)Forest Conservation Act, 1980
    2. b)Rainwater harvesting
    3. c)Genetic Diversity
    4. d)Hydrogen energy
    How to answer

    • Forest Conservation Act, 1980: Objectives, restriction on de-reservation of forests, diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose only with central approval
    • Rainwater harvesting: Methods (rooftop collection, recharge pits), benefits in groundwater replenishment and flood mitigation
    • Genetic Diversity: Variation of genes within a species, importance for adaptation, disease resistance, and evolution
    • Hydrogen energy: Hydrogen as a clean fuel carrier, production routes (green, blue, grey), fuel cell operation, advantages and storage challenges