About the School

The man-environment relationship indicates that pollution and deterioration of the environment have a social origin. Environment pollution has become a major global concern. Global society is facing the challenge of improving the quality of air, water, soil, environment and maintaining the ecological balance. The growth of industrialization, urbanization, modern agricultural development and energy generation has resulted in the indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources for fulfilling human desires and needs, which has contributed in disturbing the ecological balance on which the quality of our environment depends. In recent time, one of the major issues is the threat to human life from the progressive deterioration of the environment. Today we have environmental problems such as acid rain, ozone depletion, global warming, climate change, effects of pesticides and fertilizer, Solid waste, hazardous waste- Treatment & disposal. Roots of these problems are a lack of adequate awareness, knowledge, and understanding of our environment. Sustainable development emphasizes the use of natural resources and employing eco-friendly technology for production, processing, and operation in industries and making societies ready for environmental development and management.

The School of Environment and Sustainable development is offering M.Phil. / Ph.D. programme since its inception in 2011. M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences was introduced during the academic year 2015-16 to support the basic research understanding in the field. Environmental Sciences is a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences covers ecology; ecosystem; biodiversity; natural resources; environment and energy; environmental pollution; pollution control technology; environmental monitoring and assessment; green technology; environmental laws and regulation; instrumentation and statistics; Industrial hygiene and safety; environmental toxicology; environmental biotechnology and nanotechnology; sustainable development and management.

Dean's Welcome Message

Dean Photo

Prof Pallavi Sharma

Dear Students, Scholars, and Visitors,

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you to the School of Environment and Sustainable Development (SESD) at the Central University of Gujarat – a pioneering academic hub committed to addressing the most pressing environmental challenges of our time through research, education, and policy engagement.

At SESD, we believe that achieving sustainable development requires a deep understanding of the interdependence between the environment, economy, and society. Our programs are designed to provide students with interdisciplinary knowledge, analytical skills, and practical exposure to contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainability transitions.

The School offers innovative postgraduate and doctoral programs in Environmental Science and Sustainable Development. With a strong emphasis on field-based learning, geospatial technologies, environmental impact assessment, and sustainability science, our curriculum bridges science, policy, and society.

Our dedicated faculty members are actively involved in cutting-edge research, funded projects, and collaborations with national and international organizations. We encourage our students to engage in research that informs policy, empowers communities, and promotes resilience.

As the Dean of SESD, I take great pride in nurturing an academic environment that inspires critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and a lifelong commitment to sustainability. I invite you to join us in this journey of learning and action toward building a greener, more equitable, and sustainable future.

Prof Pallavi Sharma
Dean, School of Environment and Sustainable Development

Program Details

M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences
Duration: 2 Years
Syllabus:
Ph.D. in Environment and Sustainable Development
Duration: As per UGC
Syllabus:

Faculty Profile

Prof. Bhawana Pathak (Professor)
Prof. Bhawana Pathak (Professor)

Department: Environment and Sustainable Development

Email: bhawana.pathak@cug.ac.in

Specialization: Plant behaviour Ecology Biodiversity conservation; Environmental Biotechnology, and Environmental Nanotechnology.

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Prof. R.Y. Hiranmai (Professor & Dean)
Prof. R.Y. Hiranmai (Professor)

Department: Environment and Sustainable Development

Email: Rhiranmai.yadav@cug.ac.in

Specialization: Internal Bioremediation, Organic farming, Soil quality monitoring, Vermitechnology.

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Prof Pallavi Sharma (Professor)
Prof Pallavi Sharma (Professor & Dean)

Department: Environment and Sustainable Development

Email: pallavi.sharma@cug.ac.in

Specialization: Deciphering the mechanisms of environmental stress tolerance in plants, Phytoremediation.

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Dr Paulami Sahu (Assistant Professor)
Dr Paulami Sahu (Assistant Professor)

Department: Environment and Sustainable Development

Email: paulami_sahu@cug.ac.in

Specialization: Hydrogeology, Groundwater modelling, Groundwater Management, Remote Sensing and GIS.

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Dr Rina Kumari (Assistant Professor)
Dr Rina Kumari (Assistant Professor)

Department: Environment and Sustainable Development

Email: rina.sesd@cug.ac.in

Specialization: Hydrogeology, Geochemistry, Water Resource Management, Biodiversity, Natural resource management, Remote sensing and GIS, Land use/Land cover studies.

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Dr Dheeraj Rathore (Assistant Professor)
Dr Dheeraj Rathore (Assistant Professor)

Department: Environment and Sustainable Development

Email: dheeraj.rathore@cug.ac.in

Specialization: Ecology, Stress Physiology, Physiology of Biofuel Production and sustainable agriculture.

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