6 Summary and Conclusion
Currently, annual average growth of world population has been growing at the rate
1.1 %. However, India has witnessed for higher than the world population with an
increase of 1.7 %. No doubt the population and health policies have certainly helped
in reduction of fertility. But even though, the size of population is second highest
after China. Increasing working population is caused to have more money and they
are going to spend on electronic gadgets and motor vehicles. This has directly
influenced to air pollution and the use of high energy. The current patterns of
consumption in India have a greater impact on the environment than all the above
demographic factors. Therefore, demographic trends not only imply significant
social and economic issues but also potential environmental impacts. Therefore,
meaningful efforts need to be done to increase resource use efficiency to protect the
environment. At the same time, the rapid change in age structure and resultant
increase in the number of nuclear families demands for new housing, and the related
development will increase and despite inherent environmental constrains in most
regions of the country. Hence, remedial measures need to be taken to reduce consumption level and waste generation by individuals and households in order to
protect the environment. Until and unless the government gives adequate attention to
the implications of demographic change for the environment, the country will not be
able to face the challenge of environmental decay and the related human issues in the
coming decades. Efforts have been done in India in order to reduce population
growth. But the size and quality of population were the major threat to environment
in the country at different levels due to regional inequality in terms of geographic,
social, and economic variables. However, changing demographics in the country
certainly is a ray of hope for the economic development; however it should not be the
disaster to the sustainable environment in India.
References
Bloom, D. E., & Williamson, J. G. (1997). Demographic transition and economic miracles in
emerging Asia. Working paper 6268, Cambridge, M.A.: NBER.
James, K. S. (2011). India’s demographic change: Opportunities and challenges. Science Journal,
333, 576–580.
Lakshmana, C. M. (2008). Effects of population growth on environmental degradation: With
reference to India. Demography India, 37(1), 63–79.
National council of applied economic research. (2011). Report on middle class population. New
Delhi: National Council of Applied Economic Research.
Registrar general and census commissioner of India: Tables on houses, amenities and assets of
census 2001 and 2011.
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. (2011). The 29th report of demographic
change and the environment. London: United Kingdom.
United Nations. (1999). The landmark report of the world commission on environment and
development. USA: United Nations Development of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
106
C.M. Lakshmana
Currently, annual average growth of world population has been growing at the rate
1.1 %. However, India has witnessed for higher than the world population with an
increase of 1.7 %. No doubt the population and health policies have certainly helped
in reduction of fertility. But even though, the size of population is second highest
after China. Increasing working population is caused to have more money and they
are going to spend on electronic gadgets and motor vehicles. This has directly
influenced to air pollution and the use of high energy. The current patterns of
consumption in India have a greater impact on the environment than all the above
demographic factors. Therefore, demographic trends not only imply significant
social and economic issues but also potential environmental impacts. Therefore,
meaningful efforts need to be done to increase resource use efficiency to protect the
environment. At the same time, the rapid change in age structure and resultant
increase in the number of nuclear families demands for new housing, and the related
development will increase and despite inherent environmental constrains in most
regions of the country. Hence, remedial measures need to be taken to reduce consumption level and waste generation by individuals and households in order to
protect the environment. Until and unless the government gives adequate attention to
the implications of demographic change for the environment, the country will not be
able to face the challenge of environmental decay and the related human issues in the
coming decades. Efforts have been done in India in order to reduce population
growth. But the size and quality of population were the major threat to environment
in the country at different levels due to regional inequality in terms of geographic,
social, and economic variables. However, changing demographics in the country
certainly is a ray of hope for the economic development; however it should not be the
disaster to the sustainable environment in India.
References
Bloom, D. E., & Williamson, J. G. (1997). Demographic transition and economic miracles in
emerging Asia. Working paper 6268, Cambridge, M.A.: NBER.
James, K. S. (2011). India’s demographic change: Opportunities and challenges. Science Journal,
333, 576–580.
Lakshmana, C. M. (2008). Effects of population growth on environmental degradation: With
reference to India. Demography India, 37(1), 63–79.
National council of applied economic research. (2011). Report on middle class population. New
Delhi: National Council of Applied Economic Research.
Registrar general and census commissioner of India: Tables on houses, amenities and assets of
census 2001 and 2011.
The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. (2011). The 29th report of demographic
change and the environment. London: United Kingdom.
United Nations. (1999). The landmark report of the world commission on environment and
development. USA: United Nations Development of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
106
C.M. Lakshmana