Ecologics to Economics

This is a 3 month hybrid course that explores the need for connecting and reconnecting with Nature with a perspective of learning and earning through Nature. This course leads to unseen and un-thought of careers in the field of Environment and Sustainability while giving an enriching practical experience on the field.

This program combines skill development, interactive discussions, reflective thinking, and exploration of unseen career options.

Importance of this course:

a) Nature integrated Learning is discontinuous from grade 4 onwards till grade 10. This is reflected on the students’ Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour, thinking capacity. Stress due to comparison and competition becomes the norm and the disconnect with Nature brings mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual issues within an individual. This course aims to bridge this gap and reduce the stress.

b) Teachers benefit greatly while integrating Nature into their classroom sessions. This is both practical and therapeutic for participants.

c) Career options are open but unseen. This course aims to showcase the different career options in the field of Environment, Education, Forests and Sustainability for participants of any academic background.

This course invites participants to:

Observe, Explore, Question, document and Reflect upon, the Natural world around them

Expand their awareness in the field of Environment and Sustainability and its connection to education and livelihood

Become learners for life in a true sense and not just academically or for a short time

Understand their role in being Nature’s Guardians as per the Indian Constitution

Who Should Join

Recommended Age: 18 - 25 years.

·  Students of all academic backgrounds

·  Students who want a fresh perspective on learning and teaching.

·  Students who are passionate about Environment, Conservation and Sustainability

·   Students who want to reconnect with Nature for enhancing their Mental, Emotional, Physical, Social and Spiritual (MEPS) aspects.

 What You Will Gain

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define Nature Integrated Learning and its relevance

• Recognize patterns in ecosystems and understand the eco-services

• Utilise Nature as a tool for learning and therapy

• Connect ecology with multiple academic subjects

• Apply ecological and systems thinking to academics and daily life

• Understand required skills and pathways in ecology and sustainability

• Explain how ecosystems support economies

• Understand importance of sustainable resource use

• Independently conduct basic field work through observation and journaling skills

• Understand and implement some indigenous sustainability practices

• Compare and analyse traditional and modern approaches to sustainability

• Practice sustainable lifestyles and contribute to environmental conservation

• Identify careers in ecology and sustainability and pursue them

Course Curriculum

Unit 1: The Invisible link

Unit 2: Integrating nature into different subjects

Unit 3: Indian Knowledge Systems and traditional practices in Green Education and Ecological-Economic Sustainability

Unit 4: Nature and Nurture – A Psychology perspective

Unit 5: Ecological to Economical Connect

Unit 6: Field training programs 

This experience includes:

Classes in the outdoors, experiencing different ecosystems and landscapes

Understanding Nature and academics in a new light leading to better learning

Exploring new career options with experts

Learning though projects and landscapes

Course Format

Weekend, In person Classes

Saturdays | 10 AM – 1PM (IST)

Each session includes:

· Facilitated Interactions and discussions along with observations and explorations within Nature. Few sessions will be indoors and theoretical.

· Documentation and reflection sessions

Post sessions will include: On a weekly basis

· Online reading materials on a common platform

· Assignments and Assessments

· Videos

This course encourages inquiry, reflection, and shared exploration apart from lecture-based learning.

 2026 Course Schedule

July – September 2026

October – December 2026

 Credits – 4 credits without final written exam, with certification.

Academic Credits (Optional)

Participants can opt to register with TDU for credits, at an additional charge of Rs 1000.

Credits will be recorded in the National Academic Depository (NAD) as per UGC guidelines.

Credits offered:

4 Credits – Hybrid Course

For the NAD credits - assessment will be conducted through an online examination on the TDU platform.