Resources

NatureScope India: Exploring Ecosystems
Diving into Oceans
ISBN 81-89887–03-X

Oceans cover over two-thirds of the surface of our planet. The incredible variety of habitats in and around oceans teems with millions of diverse life forms. Little though we realize it, oceans impact all aspects of our life — from climate to food to livelihood to transport. As we draw upon the bounties of the ocean to sustain and develop ourselves, we also damage the physical and biological qualities of the ocean. This will have several adverse repercussions on human beings, besides endangering the marine life. Many actions are being taken at international, national and local levels to conserve oceans, but much more needs to be done, and each one of us has a role to play in protecting oceans.

Teachers will get to know all this and much more through Diving into Oceans. They will also learn ways of inspiring in children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world and imparting the concepts through interactive activities that also enhance the child’s life skills.

Diving into Oceans is the first book in the series of NatureScope India: Exploring Ecosystems. It has been produced by CEE with support from the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The book is divided into seven sections. Each section deals with a different aspect related to oceans and their conservation, and includes background information and activities on that theme. The activities and sections are supplemented by additional information through Fact Finders. The book is extensively researched, with inputs from and reviews by experts from Wildlife Institute of India and Indian Forest Service. Attractive layout, design, illustrations and photographs effectively support the content.

NatureScope India: Discovering Deserts
ISBN 978-81-89587-16-1

Are all deserts hot and covered with sand dunes? Where are all the deserts of the world? What causes a desert? Can animals and plants survive in deserts? How important are deserts and dry lands for humans? Does desertification mean spreading of existing deserts? These are some of the questions which reflect the many different perceptions about deserts and dry lands.

Deserts/arid areas of the world are fragile ecosystems and they support a vast human population, livestock, and a range of plants and animals. Desert plants and animals have devised ingenious ways to overcome the extreme climatic conditions. Deserts have contributed extensively to global culture, traditional and modern.

Three of the major world religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have their origins in the deserts of West Asia. Deserts and arid areas have vast mineral riches which includes petroleum!
NatureScope India: Discovering Deserts explores and explains several dimensions of deserts, dry lands, and Desertification.

Discovering Deserts is a comprehensive one-book library with information and hand-on activities to help upper primary and secondary school teachers and students take a close look and understand deserts and dry lands.

Discovering Deserts, is the second in the Exploring Ecosystems Series of NatureScope India.

For more information contact:
Edutech
Centre for Environment Education
Thaltej Tekra, Ahmedabad 380 054
Ph: 079–26853739
E-mail: edutech@ceeindia.org
Website: http://www.edutechindia.org/