experiencing the growth rate of population relatively low. But, on the other hand,
the level of socio-economic development in the above said states is also low when
compared to the southern states and western states of India. In this background,
measuring environmental pollution in India based on the physical characteristic of a
region is deemed appropriate. This paper highlights the linkage of changing
demographic trends and its potential environmental impact in India.
2 India’s Demographic Change
Rapid decline of fertility in most part of India in the recent decades has significant
impact on the changing age structure of population. However, primarily, three
important factors have been emerged from the recent demographic change in India.
They are: (a) people are living longer (b) there will be more number of households
and the average number of people per household will be lower (c) the rate of
population growth varies across regions in the country. And further, the demographic character is changing rapidly and the country is now entering the final stage
of demographic transition. But due to regional inequality in the progress of
socio-economic development especially in some states like Bihar, Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Assam were not reaching the replacement level
fertility. However, it has evidence in most of the state in southern, western, and
northern states of Punjab and Haryana. However, India exhibits one of the highest
demographic heterogeneities ever experienced anywhere in the world at the
regional and state level. Despite the recent decline in the birth rate in the country,
India has recorded a growth rate of 1.6 % per year during 2001–2011 census
periods, adding around 181 million people to the total, but the annual addition to
the total population has remained nearly the same. However, there is a general
consensus that demographic change in India has led to opening up new economic
opportunities and has had a greater impact on economy and society (Bloom and
Williamson 1997). But, at the same time the demographic change such as the size
of population, household numbers, age structure of population, urbanization, etc.,
are found to be important proximate causes for adverse impact on environment.
Additionally, our current patterns of consumption such as the amount of energy and
water use in homes, waste generation, changing landscape, and biodiversity loss are
going to have a greater impact on the environment than all the above demographic
factors.
3 The Changing Age Structure
The increase in life expectancy—an important driver contributing to an increase in
population—and the consequent growth in the number of older people are likely to
continue in India. This calls for timely action to ward off the social and economic
100
C.M. Lakshmana
the level of socio-economic development in the above said states is also low when
compared to the southern states and western states of India. In this background,
measuring environmental pollution in India based on the physical characteristic of a
region is deemed appropriate. This paper highlights the linkage of changing
demographic trends and its potential environmental impact in India.
2 India’s Demographic Change
Rapid decline of fertility in most part of India in the recent decades has significant
impact on the changing age structure of population. However, primarily, three
important factors have been emerged from the recent demographic change in India.
They are: (a) people are living longer (b) there will be more number of households
and the average number of people per household will be lower (c) the rate of
population growth varies across regions in the country. And further, the demographic character is changing rapidly and the country is now entering the final stage
of demographic transition. But due to regional inequality in the progress of
socio-economic development especially in some states like Bihar, Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Assam were not reaching the replacement level
fertility. However, it has evidence in most of the state in southern, western, and
northern states of Punjab and Haryana. However, India exhibits one of the highest
demographic heterogeneities ever experienced anywhere in the world at the
regional and state level. Despite the recent decline in the birth rate in the country,
India has recorded a growth rate of 1.6 % per year during 2001–2011 census
periods, adding around 181 million people to the total, but the annual addition to
the total population has remained nearly the same. However, there is a general
consensus that demographic change in India has led to opening up new economic
opportunities and has had a greater impact on economy and society (Bloom and
Williamson 1997). But, at the same time the demographic change such as the size
of population, household numbers, age structure of population, urbanization, etc.,
are found to be important proximate causes for adverse impact on environment.
Additionally, our current patterns of consumption such as the amount of energy and
water use in homes, waste generation, changing landscape, and biodiversity loss are
going to have a greater impact on the environment than all the above demographic
factors.
3 The Changing Age Structure
The increase in life expectancy—an important driver contributing to an increase in
population—and the consequent growth in the number of older people are likely to
continue in India. This calls for timely action to ward off the social and economic
100
C.M. Lakshmana