Overpopulation as a Social issue in India

Overpopulation as a Social issue in India 

         

                                               

 **Author: Khushboo Siwach, a student at Lloyd Law College

Introduction

Overpopulation is defined as a situation in which the number of people living in a certain area exceeds the carrying capacity of that area. So basically  overpopulation is the overcrowding of the world caused by uncontrolled human population growth. It can lead to various challenges such as strain on resources, environmental degradation , increased poverty, and reduced quality of life. Overpopulation is caused by a variety of economic and social variables. It could be caused by a low mortality rate, a high birth rate, illiteracy, a lack of family planning, large-scale migration, and so on. 

Overpopulation as social issue in India

India is now the world’s most populous nation with 1.486 billion people. It overtakes China to become the world’s most populated country. Even  some of the Indian states outnumber several countries in population. Uttar Pradesh with a population of 166 million leaves behind the Russian Federation, home to 146.9 million people. Similarly, Orissa’s population exceeds that of Canada, and Chhattisgarh’s that of Australia. The increase in population in  India is acting as threat to national development of country at global level. Overpopulation have various effects on society including India. It can strain resources like food ,water, and housing ,leading to scarcity and inequality. It can also put pressure on infrastructure ,healthcare, and education system, making it challenging to provide adequate services for everyone. Moreover it can exacerbate social inequality and hinder the overall development of country. Overpopulation is influenced by a combination of both the social , economic, cultural and environmental factors. While economic factors such as poverty and lack of access to resources can contribute to overpopulation , it is important to consider the broader societal and cultural aspects as well. These factors include cultural beliefs, social norms and government policies that impact population growth. Another social factors that can contribute to population growth like lack of access to education , limited healthcare, and inadequate family planning all play a role in enhancing population growth. Basically there are many social causes that can create overpopulation but the main cause are cultural and religious beliefs or practices. 

Such beliefs or practices can contribute to overpopulation in society by influencing family size preferences  and reproductive practices. For example, of such can be cultural value placed on having male children in certain societies. This preference for sons can lead to higher birth rates as families continue to have children until they have a mail heir. The high birth rate in India is the key cause. More than two children are common among couples. People tend to think that having more kids will result in them needing more care as they age. they continue to have a large family. But as a result, the population is expanding quickly. In India, illiteracy is common. They fail to recognize the drawbacks of having numerous kids. People with education are aware that they should have fewer kids. On the other hand, illiterate people continue to procreate. Population quickly increases as a result.

Conclusion 

In conclusion , overpopulation is a complex issue influenced by various social factors such as cultural beliefs, social norms and limited access to family planning resources. Addressing these factors is crucial for sustainable population growth and ensuring a better future for society. Basically it requires collective efforts to promote smaller family sizes, improve access to education and healthcare, and create policies that support responsible population management. Together , we can work towards a balanced and thriving world for all.