Abstract.
Introduction
The population of the world is growing at an alarming rate, and this has several consequences on the environment. The growth rate of the population worldwide is currently at 1.1% for each year having grown tremendously from the 1 billion in 1800 to 7.4 billion in the year 2016. The sustainability of the population on the environment is a concern as the tremendous growth rates have led to massive consequences to the environment. Population growth can be attributed to several issues that currently face the world ranging from poverty, unemployment, deforestation and environmental degradation.
Problems that are specified to the environment as a result of the population boom include water pollution, global warming and deforestation due to migration as well as a strain on economic, natural resources. This has led to a scarcity of resources globally. India has specifically been affected as a cause of its growing population. The population growth rate in the country stands at 1.2% per year with the population at 1.25 billion. Most of the people in India reside in rural areas and are predominantly engaged in agricultural activities. The anti-poverty program has been helpful in the reduction of poverty levels. However, it is the primary cause of environmental degradation. This is brought about by the over-exploitation of natural resources and the excessive utilization of forests for food and fuel to meet their subsistence needs. The population increase has also led to the overutilization of water resources that has brought about contamination and exhaustion of existing services. Rivers are always being misused as disposal points for industrial effluent and untreated sewages. The resources have consistently been abused as urban populations clear forests due to the continued increase in rural-urban migration. Land use has been severally affected as there is increased with every million hectares of land supporting 7.27 million people. The soil has also been affected due to the pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture as they reduce the soil fertility and increase acidity.
The research shall employ several methods in the collection of the relevant material that pertains to environmental degradation due to population growth. Survey methods will be used to check the levels of land use and population in cramped up areas such that there is a strain on resources in the specified areas. Population survey in a hundred meter radius in a designated area will provide accurate information on the population. The survey technique is critical in the understanding the level of land use. The other applicable method undertaken will be the use of sampling techniques to check the soil acidity levels of an area affected by pollution. This will involve a brief analysis of the soil samples in the sectors that are mostly populated to check for the presence of soil pollutants
Discussion.
Environmental degradation has primarily been affected by the population growth. Scientists and planners should provide effective means through which population booms can be relocated and evenly spread out over areas to reduce the rate of environmental degradation. Effective means of managing growing populations should be earmarked by planners to ensure that space areas hold the minimum number of people to reduce exhaustion of environmental resources. Due to the high discharge associated with such areas, there is a need to create the correct mechanisms through which this is degradable and does not pollute the environment through safe discharge practices.
The soil is affected by a huge outlay of pressure on highly populated areas. Land consolidation is essential in ensuring that erosion does not readily occur in highly popularized areas. In regards to agricultural areas, the land cultivated should be done in a manner that allows for reuse once ample time has been provided for land fertility. The use of chemicals should be minimized to the very least to avoid pollution of soil elements. Organic fertilizers like manure should be utilized more often other than artificial fertilizers that are a threat to the environment through chemical pollutants.
I am of the opinion that the initiatives to reduce poverty though beneficial must be undertaken with more safety to ensure that the environment is maintained. Efforts to improve the environment in India should be taken while putting into account the factors of population growth thus encouraging citizens to live in a sustainable manner that ensures the continued sustenance of the environment.
Conclusion.
Population growth is an essential determinant of environmental sustainability, and there is need to check the demographics in relation to environmental preservation in India. The future outlook of the environment may be bleak if sustained population growth is not checked to reduce effectively the risks posed by the environment. For continued existence there is a need to preserve critical natural resources in the country. Policy has to be made and implemented to check on the issue of environmental population in densely populated areas. Control of pollution is essential for all types of living. Penalties should be imposed on industries that are responsible for the pollution of resources. Future generations are reliant on the use of the environment at the present moment.
References.
Ehrlich, P. R., and J. P. Holdren. "Impact of Population Growth." Science 171, no. 3977 (1971): 1212-1217. doi:10.1126/science.171.3977.1212.
Brandon Carter and Kirsten Honmann, "Valuing Environmental Costs in India: The Economy Wide Impact of Environment Degradation", (1991-92), World Bank, mimeo.
Appendices.
Figure 1: effect of urban population on environmental air pollution, India.
(Million Hectares)
Source: Economic Survey of India, 1998-99.
