OVERPOPULATION
Definition: Overpopulation refers to a situation where the number of people exceeds the capacity of the environment to sustain them with adequate resources, such as food, water, and shelter. This condition results in environmental degradation, decreased quality of life, and increased competition for limited resources. Overpopulation can also strain infrastructure, healthcare, and educational systems.
Concept: Overpopulation is not merely about the absolute number of people but also about the balance between the population size and the resources available. It considers factors such as carrying capacity, the rate of resource consumption, and technological advancements that affect resource availability and usage. Overpopulation can lead to numerous social, economic, and environmental challenges, including poverty, unemployment, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
1.Pre-Independence Era: Before independence, India's population growth was relatively slow due to high mortality rates caused by famines, diseases, and limited healthcare. The population in 1901 was approximately 238 million. Epidemics like the Spanish flu of 1918, which killed an estimated 10-20 million Indians, kept population growth in check.
2.Post-Independence Population Boom: After gaining independence in 1947, India experienced a significant population boom. Improved healthcare, better nutrition, and advancements in medical technology led to a decrease in mortality rates, while fertility rates remained high. The population grew from around 361 million in 1951 to over 1 billion by the year 2000. The average life expectancy increased from 32 years in 1947 to 69 years in 2020, contributing to population growth.
3.Green Revolution: The Green Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, which introduced high-yielding variety seeds, chemical fertilizers, and improved irrigation techniques, increased food production and reduced hunger, further supporting population growth. Food grain production increased from 50 million tonnes in the 1950s to over 250 million tonnes by the 1990s. However, this also placed a strain on natural resources and the environment, leading to issues like soil degradation and water scarcity.
4.Government Policies and Family Planning: The Indian government introduced various family planning initiatives to control population growth. The National Family Planning Program was launched in 1952, making India the first country in the world to have such a program. Despite these efforts, cultural and social factors often hindered the widespread adoption of family planning methods. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) decreased from 5.9 in the 1950s to 2.2 in 2020, approaching the replacement level of 2.1.