Population Based Rewards: Suicidal Policies and Aftermath

Abstract

The global challenge of environmental degradation and climate change is exacerbated by an unprecedented surge in population, leading to a looming man-made crisis. The relentless expansion of human numbers strains finite resources, resulting in severe environmental damage and threatening the survival of various species. This article explores the detrimental impact of overpopulation on ecosystems, focusing on its implications for policy formulation, with a particular emphasis on developing countries.
Drawing on research by Van Bavel (2013), the article highlights the exponential growth of the world’s population and the urgent need for measures to curb fertility rates. The case of India, on the brink of becoming the most populous nation, serves as a poignant example of the challenges posed by unbridled population growth. The inadequacy of historical family planning programs, influenced by political motives and lacking effective deterrents, has allowed the population to balloon unchecked.
The article delves into the consequences of unchecked population growth in India, elucidating how it hampers social welfare schemes, strains resources, and complicates civil administration. The alarming statistics presented in Table 1 further underscore the magnitude of the population problem, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization and its associated challenges, as evident in the case of Delhi.