population

Population Problems And MeasuresBy Manisha BajiyaDefinationA population is a summation of all the organisms of the same group or species, which live in a geographical area, and have the capability of interbreeding.

Trend of population growth in Rajasthanyearpopulation195115,971,130196120,156,540199144,005,990200156,507,188201168,548,437Space is limited but population increase day by day very rapidly which leads to overpopulation.Over-population and causes of over-populationIt refers to a condition by which the population density enlarges to a limit the provokes the environment deterioration, a remarkable decline in the quality of life , or a population collapse.CAUSESThe birth rate is still higher than the death rate. We have been successful in declining the death rates but the same cannot be said for birth rate.The fertility rate due to the population policies and other measures has been falling but even then it is much higher.Early marriage and universal marriage system: Legal marriageable age of a girl is 18 years ,but the concept of early marriage still prevails and getting married at an young age prolongs the child bearing age.Poverty and illiteracy: Impoverished families have this notion that more the no of members in the family, more will be the no to earn income.4It is also truth that the Indians still leg behind in the use of contraceptives and birth control methods.Age old cultural norm:- sons are the bread earners of the families in India. This age old thought puts considerable pressure on the parents to produce children till a male child is born.Illegal migration:-Illegal migration is continuously taking place from Bangladesh, Nepal leading to increased population density.ILL EFFECTS OF OVERPOPULATIONShortage of food and malnutrition: Food grain production is not sufficient in Rajasthan. Availability of food grain per capita has reduced due to overpopulation. Per capita food availability was 241 kgs in 1961 which come down to 192 kg in 1991. In Rajasthan 14.3% children below 3 years and 13.8% infants b\w 6 and 12 months are suffering from severe malnutrition and 34% children below 3 year from mild malnutrition. Pressure on land:- It leads to tension and violence in the society .The land holding per household in 1947 was 11.30 hectares and it come down to 4.11 hectares in 1991 due to overpopulation.Housing problems:- There was a shortage of 10.5 lakh houses in 1981 and has now increased to 21.4 lakh houses.Sanitation problems:- this facility is not available to almost half of the urban population and nearly entire rural population.Water problems:- Only 1% of country water resources are available with the state . With this overpopulation in another 2-3 decades there will be several crises of water.Illiteracy:- Rajasthan has 43 lakh illiterates in age group 15-25, of which 30 lakhs are women .Female literacy is 20.4 which is lowest in country.Increase in unemployment:-Between 1991 and 2001, the labour force is expected to increase to 631 lakhs . Poverty increase:- Currently 29.2% of the country population is below the poverty line while in Rajasthan it is around 23% Pressure on natural resources:-Natural resources will be under tremendous pressure which result in deforestation and increase in desert zone due to increase in population. This leads to famine, floods, pollution of air and water and thus result in environment degradation.Population ControlA national scheme of family planning was launched in India in 1951-52 but it proved to be ineffective in Rajasthan. Its success depends on able administration along with giving it the shape of mass movement and also on people participation and awareness. Secondly, the girls of the state generally get married at an early age and become mothers. The rate of population growth in the state will remain high as long as effective check on child marriage is not imposed.Thirdly , the programme of population control should be run more efficiently with service motto in view. It is therefore , needed that the programme of social and adult education be extensively carried out in the state as to provide the required mass supported to the family welfare programme.Fourthly , special emphasis be laid on matters of health care and welfare of the mothers and the children. This will automatically bring down the rate of population growth.Fifthly , Development is supposed to be the best contraceptive for population. Speed of education and enlightenment of among the masses are the natural off shoots of economic development which, in turn, automatically puts a check on child birth.The size of the family went on decreasing with the increase in the income and the pressure on agriculture as means of subsistence also decrease. People started engaging themselves in industrial and other occupation. It, may , be concluded that it will be difficult to avoid the problems of population explosion so long as the rate of economic growth in the state does not increase at a faster speed. DistrictArea(km^2)Population(2011)Jaipur14,0686,663,971Jodhpur 22,8503,663,971Alwar8,3803,671,999Nagaur17,7183,309,234Udaipur13,8833,067,549Sikar7,7322,677,737Barmer 28,3872,604,453Bharatpur5,0662,549,121Sirohi5,1361,037,185Pratapgarh4,117868,231Jaislmer38,401672,008THANK YOU