Answer:
Consequences of overpopulation :
Overpopulation has resulted in serious problems like depletion of natural resources, various socio- economic problems, energy crises, and ecodegradation.
A. Socio-economic problems.
Various socio-economic problems created by over population are described below:
1. Food. Overpopulation has resulted in large families. . As a result, the childrens latter suffer from malnutrition and grow into less fit members of the society.
2. Space. To accommodate growing population more cities are coming up. This has created pressure on agricultural land and forests. Clearing up of forests for agriculture and habitation has further caused problems like soil erosion and floods.
3. Employment, education and medical aid. Over population has resulted in large scale unemployment, lowering of education standards, unability of afford higher education to all the children as well as unavailability of modern medical facilities to all.
4. Essential goods and poverty. Over population leads to shortage of essential goods thereby resulting in hike in their prices. Large families with single earning hand often remain poor as with limited income,single earning hand can not maintain standard of living, education of children, medical facilities for members of the family etc.
B. Energy Crisis.
Increase in population has created greater demand for energy-fuelwood, fossil fuel (oil, gas and coal) and electricity. Rapid industrialization and urbanization have added to the problem. Alternative sources of energy are being tapped to lessen the crisis.
C. Ecodegradation.
Overpopulation causes ecodegradation in more than one way-
(i) Pollution: Rise in population has caused pollution of environment-water, air and land. This is seriously affecting the human health.
(ii) Sanitation: It is difficult to maintain sanitation in conjested areas as is evident from urban slums. and
(iii) Deforestation: Because of large scale deforestation:
(a) soil erosion has increased, and
(b) floods droughts have spoiled valuable land.