Impact of Population on Degradation of Environment

Environmental degradation is the disintegration of the earth or deterioration of the environment through consumption of assets, for example, air, water and soil; the destruction of environments and the eradication of wildlife. Environmental degradation may be driven by many factors including economic growth, population growth, urbanization, industrialization, intensification of agriculture, rising energy use, and transportation. Poverty still remains a problem at the root of several environmental problems. The present paper examined the relationship of population to the environment and with growing population, poverty, and urbanization the environment is degrading. The rapid population growth and economic development in the country are degrading the environment through the uncontrolled growth of urbanization and industrialization, expansion and intensification of agriculture, and the destruction of natural habitats. One of the major causes of environmental degradation in India could be attributed to the rapid growth of the population, which is adversely affecting the natural resources and environment. The three fundamental demographic factors of births, deaths, and migration produce changes in population size. It is estimated that the country’s population will increase to 1.26 billion by the year 2016. The projected population indicates that India will be the first most populous country in the world and China will be second in 2050 (Population Reference Bureau, 2001). The increase in population has been tending towards the alarming situation. India has 18 percent of the world's population on 2.4 percent of its land area has a great deal of pressure on its all-natural resources. Water shortages, soil exhaustion, deforestation, and air and water pollution afflict many areas. If the world population continues to multiply, the impact on the environment could be devastating.

Keywords:
Environment, Climate change, Population growth, degradation