Is India over populated? If it is explain the mesures to solve the population problem.

Ans. Overpopulation means when the actual population of a country is higher than the ideal population. The ideal population is that population at which the real income per capita is maximum and the country's natural resources are fully utilized in the ideal population situation. 

But in a situation of overpopulation, the population becomes a burden on the economy.

Now the question is whether there is overpopulation in India? It is an undisputed truth that India has a situation of overpopulation. Various economists believe that India has overpopulation. These economists include Dr. Gyanchand, Radha Kamal Mukherjee, P.K. Bhatthal etc. These people are of the opinion that there is a situation of overpopulation in India and in this regard they have presented the following arguments:

1. High birth rate and low death rate - 

According to the population revolution theory, there are three stages of population growth:

(a) High birth rate and high death rate.

(b) High birth rate and low death rate. 

(c) Low birth rate and low death rate. Of these three stages, the second stage of population growth is a situation of population explosion. India is currently going through this situation so it is clear that there is a situation of overpopulation in India.

2. Application of Malthusian theory - 

Malthusian theory applies in countries like India and China. This is evident from the following:

(a) Imbalance between food supply and population growth - In India, about 70 percent of people depend on agriculture yet food is a problem for the residents here. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the population has started growing at a rapid pace as compared to foodgrains. According to Prof. P.K. Bhatthal, "Between 1913-14 and 1934-35, the population increased at an average rate of 1 percent per year while the annual average increase in foodgrain production was only 0.65 percent. Between 1941 and 1951, agricultural production barely increased. " But during this period the population increased by 12.5 percent. From 1921 to 1971, the agricultural area per capita decreased from 1.11 acres to 0.62 acres, i.e. a decrease of 44 percent.

(b) Lack of restrictive checks - There is overpopulation in India. Restrictive checks are not implemented here. Restrictive checks include late marriage, unmarried life, celibacy, self-restraint and means of progeny control etc. Here, due to lack of education, orthodoxy and religious thought, there is a lack of restrictive checks on population growth. 

(c) Natural barriers - There is a situation of overpopulation in India. There is a predominance of natural barriers here. Natural barriers include floods, epidemics, famines, earthquakes etc.

3. Agriculture-based economy - 

Regarding the situation of overpopulation, Prof. Alakh Ghosh argues that the Indian economy is an agriculture-based economy. Most people get resources only to survive. Many people don't even get that. He says that the higher growth of population as compared to economic development indicates overpopulation.

4. Low standard of living - 

The standard of living of people in our country is quite low. Our poverty is world famous. Here people do not get enough food to eat, nor do they get a house to live in and clothes to wear. The standard of living of the people of India is of low quality. This can be gauged from the average annual income per capita. In 1970, India's average annual income per capita was $88, while it was $4274 in the US and $3914 in Canada. This makes it clear that there is a situation of overpopulation in India.

5. Problem of unemployment - 

There is a huge problem of unemployment in our country. Millions of people who want to work are unemployed. Also, the problem of unemployment is becoming more serious day by day. In the Fourth Plan, the number of unemployed increased to 230 lakhs. In 1991, the number of unemployed persons increased to 40 lakhs.

Thus, based on the above analysis, it is clear that India has a problem of overpopulation. 

In the words of Prof. Jathar Verry, "India has both the problem and trend of overpopulation because both the birth rate and death rate are very high here."

Measures to solve the problem of overpopulation - 

India is currently going through a population explosion. So it is imperative to stop the growth of population. The following measures can be taken to stop population growth:

1. Education - The majority of our population is uneducated. There is a huge lack of education among women. In the absence of education, there is neither motivation for family planning nor tendency to produce less offspring. Therefore, education should be spread to eradicate the problem of overpopulation.

2. Progeny control arrangements - Progeny control arrangements should be made in India to curb population growth. Progeny control includes late marriage, progeny control through artificial means, abstinence etc. According to Prof. Harold, "The reason for lower population in Britain is the prevalent use of effective contraceptives." 

3. Migration - People should be motivated to settle in other countries with lower populations, in order to solve the problem of overpopulation. In this regard, Dr. Chandrashekhar has given the following suggestions in his book:

(i) Migration should be done in empty spaces. 

(ii) Migrants should accept the nationality of that country.

(iii) Migration should be planned in an organized manner by an international organization.

4. Economic development and higher standard of living - 

For solving the population problem, the country's economic development should be done so that people's standard of living can be raised. With a higher standard of living, people tend to produce fewer offspring. According to Prof. Harold, "The reason for lower population in Britain is the high standard of living of the people there."

5. Family planning - 

This is an important measure to solve the problem of overpopulation. Family planning means limiting the family size voluntarily.

There are many means of family planning, leading an abstinent life, using artificial means of progeny control, etc.

Leading an abstinent life is difficult and many arguments have been made against progeny control measures.