| Abstract: | Population growth is heralded as a major problem of India; it will determine to a large extent the living conditions of people for decades to come. This paper analyzes the interrelated issues of population growth stabilization, the magnitude of necessary efforts to provide basic essentials to the growing population, and the impact upon the environment. Estimates of population projections are presented, based on the optimistic but probable assumption that India could reach reproductive level fertility in the period 2000-05. If sustained thereafter, the country's population would stabilize around the year 2100 at 1420 million people. In the mean time, the absolute increase of population in the next 2-3 decades will be greater than at present. The effect of population growth on cities and the living conditions of the city dwellers is reviewed and it is pointed out that it is in developing countries where population growth is the primary force producing large urban centers. Population growth presents problems with respect to employment opportunities. The predicted flood of manpower cannot be totally absorbed by the organized sector; it is argued that the agricultural sector is the only one which can help the country during this period of high population growth. To support this large and rising population, India will need to rapidly increase its average crop yields 2-3 times the present level for a modest improvement process. The expected population growth will also have consequences on environmental deterioration and water supply contamination. Finally, progress on human development lines has been taking place in India, but achievements to date are uneven. It is stressed that a national concerted effort is required to achieve such goals. |
