Population Pressure, Agricultural Resources and Environment: Temporal and Spatial Analysis in India

Dayanand G. Satihal, J.S.S. Institute of Economic Research
Pradeep Kumar Bhargava, Population Research Centre, Dharwad, India

With the dubious distinction of second largest populated country in the world, India with rapid population growth industrialization and urbanization facing environmental challenges due to depleting resources, ecological imbalances and increasing the pollution levels. The linkages between such degradation and population growth depend on the distribution of population across regions and are intern affected by density of population. This paper analyses the impact of population growth on agricultural resource utilization and the associated health problems in India at national and regional levels during the last 50 years using secondary data. Since the impact of population pressure on natural resource conditions, may be very different regions, depending on the nature of local markets and institutions, the paper provides a strong empirical basis for formulating effective policies in reducing resource depletion and environmental pollution. The paper suggests bringing about a balance in the population-resource-environment through strong political and social commitment.