MODULE 5

HUMAN POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Population explosion is the dramatic increases in population size over a relatively short
period.

A group of individuals of a species occupying a definite geographic area at a given time is

termed as population a species is the sum of all populations of the same kind. Human
population over the world belongs to single species, Homo sapiens.

Homo sapiens (modern humans) appeared around fifty thousand years ago. At the beginning,
the human population was very small. Thus human interference with nature was minimal.
However, it reached the one billion mark around 1850 and enhanced to two billion by 1930
and reached 6.1 billion by 2000.

Population Growth

Population growth till modern era can be viewed in four major phases.

Phase one' ranges from the first evolution of humans on this planet to the beginning of
agriculture. During this phase the total population was less than a million. But the density of
population even in the most habitable areas was about one person per 130-260 sq.km.

'Phase two commenced between 9000 BC and 6000 BC and lasted up to the 16th century
AD. The total world population was approximately 100 million by 1AD which enhanced to
about 500 million by 1600 AD. The density of population enhanced to about one or two
people per sq. km. The first major increase in population occurred during this phase when
agriculture was introduced

Phase third’ began four hundred years ago with the industrial revolution. The total world
population was about 900 million (90 crore) in 1800 AD which enhanced to approximately
3000 million (300 crore) by X01960. The invention of vaccines, improvement in sanitation
and advances in agriculture were the main causes for the rapid increase in population during
this period.

Phase four' is known as modern era. In this era the population still continues to enhance
rapidly in developing countries although its rate of growth has slowed down in developed
countries.

The world population stood at 6.215 billions in 2002. But it is estimated that the world
population will be approximately 8 billions by 2025 and 10 billions by 2050 AD.
Population clock

Every second, on an average 4-5 children are born and 2 people die, thus we are growing by
nearly 2.5 person every second. As a result human population is growing by about 9000
people per hour and by about 2,14,000 people per day.

India's population has reached one billion on May 11, 2000 and the country is likely to
become the world's most populous country by 2050.

Variation Among Nations

In terms of continents and nations, the world population shows an imbalance. Asia which
occupies only one-fifth of the world's land area accounts for more than half of the world
population. North, Central and South America together occupy more than one-fourth of land
area, but have only one-fifth of the world population (1.3 billion). The Continent of Africa
which also occupies one-fourth of the land area accounts for one eighth (840 million) of the
world population. The European Continent occupies only one-twenty fifth of the land surface
but has about one-ninth (728 million) of the world population.

The distribution of the world population within the continents is also demographically
uneven. In Asian continent, China (1.28 billions) alone has one-third Asian and one-fifth of
the world population. The Indian sub-continent accounts for a further 1.3 billion people
(India - 1.05 billion, Pakistan-143.5 million, Bangladesh -133.6 million, Nepal-23.9 million,
Srilanka-18.9 million, Bhutan-0.9 million, and Maldives -0.3 million).

The distribution of population in European continent is also uneven. The number of people
living in Northern European Countries is far less than that of in other European Countries.
Among European Countries, Russia, Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Ukraine, Spain and
Poland are the most populous.

In Africa and America, population is (for the most part) spread very thinly across the land
surface, leaving large sections (such as Northern Canada, South West USA, the Sahara Desert
and the Amazon Forest) practically uninhabited.

The world population growth shows a general decline. But there are variations in the rate of
decline in various nations on account of cultural, economic, political and demographic
differences. Such variations are also found in various parts of certain nations.

Population Explosion

A sudden increase in the rate of population growth that occurs due to a rapid fall in the
mortality rate without a corresponding fall in the birth rate is known as 'population
explosion? The rate of population growth is measured as the annual average growth rate.

Average annual growth rate (in per cent) = {[P2-P1]/P1*N}*100

where P1 is population size in the previous census; P2 is population size in the present
census; and N is number of years between the two census

Generally census ascertains the number of individuals present in a particular region at a

particular time. The time which is required for a population to double itself is called
'doubling_time'. The annual average growth rate and the doubling time are the two
important indicators of the pace of population growth. The growth rate depends on various
factors like birth, death, migration, age and sex structure.

Population explosion occurs due to a rapid fall in the mortality rate without a corresponding
fall in the birth rate. As per the Theory of Demographic Transition, every country passes
through three stages of demographic transition. But population explosion usually takes place
in the second stage of it.

In the first stage of demographic transition both birth and death rates are high. Thus
population remains more or less stable.) in the second stage, with the beginning of the
process of development, the standard of living of people improves, education expands, and
medical and health facilities enhance. As a result of all these, the death rate comes down. But
as society remains agrarian and the attitude of the people towards the size of the family does
not change, the birth rate remains high. In such situations, population increases at an alarming
rate. This is known as Population Explosion?

Population density (or over population) doesn't mean population explosion. It is not at all a
major problem. However, the problem arises when the economic development is not at par
with population growth. For instance, Japan has a high population density, but it ranked first
on the human development index formulated by UNDP.

The size and structure of population in a country should be viewed in relation to its natural
resources. Thus a country is said to have an "Optimum Population" when its number of
people is in balance with the available resources.

Effects of Population Explosion

Population explosion has numerous impacts with far reaching consequences. The following
are some of them.

i. Unemployment
ii. Low standard of living
iii. Low per capita income
iv. Absence of basic amenities such as water supply, sanitation, education, health etc.
v. Hindrance in the process of nation's development.
vi. Energy crisis
vii. Environmental damage
viii. Migration to urban areas
ix. Overcrowding of cities etc.
x. Pressure on agricultural land
Measures to overcome the Problem of Population Explosion

The problem of population explosion can be overcome through a second population policy
with the following objectives.

i. Raising of per capita income through speedy economic development.

ii. Improving the quality of the population through better facilities in education, health
etc.
iii. A large scale reduction in birth rate through legal and fiscal motivations such as
raising age of marriage, legalising abortion etc.
iv. Bringing down the death rate as it results in waste of human energy and resources.
v. Integration of population planning with economic planning

Family Welfare Programme

Alarming growth of population is one of the most formidable problems in India today. It
poses a serious threat to India's economic development as India has to maintain 16.9% of
global population only on 2.4% of the global area.

The Government of India was the first to recognise the importance of planning of families
and launched a nation-wide family planning programme in 1952. It initiated such a
programme with the objective of “reducing the birth rate to the extent necessary to stabilise
the population at a level consistent with the requirement of the national economy.” »

India achieved a substantial improvement in the planning of families including the health of
women and children from மாமாவதா70 1951 to 2000. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has
declined from 6 to 3.3, the infant mortality rate from 146 to 72 per 1000 and crude death rate
25.1 to 9. However, the decline in birth rate has been less steep, declining from 40.8 in 1951
to 22 in 2006.

Methods of Birth Control

The Family Welfare Programme provides several techniques to control population. These are
broadly classified into (1) permanent methods and (2) temporary methods.

1. Permanent Method. It is done by a minor surgery. The following are the various
permanent methods of birth control.

(i) Sterilisation

(a) Vasectomy: Male sterilisation or vasectomy is done by tying the tubes that carry the
sperm.
(b) Tubectomy: Female sterilisation or tubectomy is done by tying the tubes that carry the
ovum to the uterus.
Both vasectomy and tubectomy involve very simple procedures which are painless and
patients have no post operation problems.
(ii) Abortion. It involves Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) before the foetus become
viable.

2. Temporary Methods

(i) Mechanical methods. These methods of birth control consist of:

(a) Condom. It is a rubber sheath which can be put on penis before copulation. It prevents the
sperms from being deposited in vagina.

(b) Diaphragms and cervical caps. These are plastic covers which can be fitted on cervix of
vagina of female before sexual intercourse to check the entry of sperms into the uterus.

(c) Intro-Uterine devices (IUDS). These are plastic or metallic devices which are fitted into
the uterus of the female. These include copper-T, loops, spiral rings etc.

ii) Chemical methods

(a) Spermicides. Spermicides are available in the form of tablets, jellies, pastes or creams.
These can be introduced in the vagina before sexual act.

(b) Physiological (Oral) devices. These are birth control pills such as Male-D (taken daily),
Saheli (taken weekly)] which are taken orally.

iii) Natural Methods

(a) Withdrawal method. Under this method penis is withdrawn before the semen is
ejaculated.

(b) Calendar method. A week before and a week after the menstrual phase are supposed to be
safe periods for sexual intercourse. This is because ovulation generally occurs on the 14th
day of menstrual cycle and the ovum remains alive for about 2 days and the sperms about 3
days.

Usually women are the major targets of family planning programmes. They are forced to
accept family planning methods as men are reluctant to use permanent methods. Thus
economic empowerment of women is one of the unique factors in family welfare.

ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH

Environment has a direct impact on the physical, mental and social well being of the people.
Its changes (induced by human activities in all walks of life) have had an influence on the
health patterns of people. Environmental health as stated by WHO consists of those aspects
of human health, comprising the quality of life, which are determined by physical, chemical,
biological, social and psychological factors in the environment. Thus environmental health
refers to the practice of assessing, correcting, controlling and preventing all those factors in
the environment which have adverse impact on the health of present and future generations.
 The environment usually affects the health of human beings in a number of ways.
Climate and weather have an impact on human health. While unprecedented rainfall triggers
epidemics of malaria and water-borne diseases, the natural disasters such as storms,
hurricanes, and flood kill many people every year.

The health of people does not depend on the number of doctors and hospitals only, but also
on clean environment. The changes in the human environment have enhanced the incidence
of many diseases. These changes also include socio-economic and cultural changes that lead
to the stresses of many kinds on human health. The enhancing population and expanding
cities and industries have brought about changes in the human environment. All these have
made the environment a paradise for infectious agents.

Environmental changes and economic inequality are closely linked. Economically backward
nations cannot meet required emission standards to slow down climate change. The depletion
of ozone in the stratosphere (middle atmosphere) also has a significant effect on world
climate and, in turn, people's health.

At present, there are so many issues on urban environment, water quality, air quality, industry
and energy which adversely affect on human health. These are briefly stated here.

i) Urban Environment and Health. Environmental degradation is very serious especially in

urban areas. Such a degradation in crowded urban centers causes highly serious impacts on
human health. In cities across the globe, the living conditions of majority of people threaten
their health, impose misery and contribute to illness, accidents and crime.

Usually unsuitable physical and social environments have adverse effects on the mental and
physical health of mankind.

Among the various psycho-social health problems, the most serious are depression, alcohol
and drug abuse, suicide, child abuse, delinquency etc. However, suitable social networks and
a sense of community organisation can have a mitigating impact on the level of psycho-social
health problems.

ii) Water Quality and Health. Water quality can have a vital impact on public health on
account of water-borne diseases. However, the problem of maintaining water quality
enhances further due to the inadequate supply of water especially when there are multiple
sources of water pollution such as sewage, industrial effluents, urban and agricultural run off.

The problem of maintaining water quality is more severe in the urbanised areas in the
developing nations. This is mainly due to the failure to enforce pollution control and
inadequacy of sanitations system and garbage collection and disposal.

The following are the major types of water-related diseases.

(a) Water-borne diseases. Water-borne diseases are caused by dirty water contaminated by
human and animal wastes. While some of these diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentry,
polio, meningitis and hepatitis A and E occur due to improper drinking water, others such as
cancer, neurological diseases and infertility are caused by pesticides entering drinking water
in rural areas. However, the incidence of these diseases can be reduced up to a certain extent
by improving sanitation and providing purified drinking water.

b] Water-based diseases. Usually aquatic organisms live a part of their life in water and
other part in human beings as a parasite. Such organisms cause several diseases. While
guinea worm affects the feet, round worms live in the small intestine, especially of children.

(c) Water-related vector diseases. Mosquitoes which breed in stagnant water spread
diseases like malaria and filariasis.

Vector disease like malaria, once controlled in India has come back as the mosquitoes have
become resistant to insecticides. Other vector-borne diseases consist of dengue fever (which
carries high mortality) and Filariasis (which leads to fever and chronic swelling of the legs).

Water-related vector diseases can be curtailed by eliminating mosquito-breeding sites and

using fish to control mosquito larval populations.

(d) Water-scarcity diseases. The scarcity of water usually results in poor hygiene. This
makes washing and personal cleanliness difficult resulting in tuberculosis, leprosy, tętanus
etc.

(iii) Air Quality and Health. A growing menace to health throughout the world now is air
pollution. The concentration of air pollutants is very high in many cities in the world. Such
pollutants result in morbidity in susceptible individuals and premature mortality in the aged.

While fossil fuels are the largest source of air pollution, power stations, motor vehicles and
industries are the major sources of urban air pollution. The depletion of ozone layer (due to
the release of specific air pollutants) enhances the incidence of skin cancer and cataracts.

(iv) Industry and Health. Industries usually release air and water pollutants and generate a
large quantity of hazardous wastes. These cause adverse health impacts on human beings. In
developing countries where pollution control is seldom enforced, industrial wastes have
polluted many rivers, lakes and coastal environments. Moreover, very often developed
countries export hazardous wastes to developing countries as the cost of export is less than
that of disposal in the country of its origin.

Silicosis, pneumoconiosis, and skin diseases are some of the common occupational diseases.
Further, the continuous and frequent exposure to noise (particularly in industry) cause serious
health problems.

Energy and Health

The most prevalent source of energy is biomass which consists of wood, crop, residues and
animal dung. Biomass is used by nearly half of the world population. The burning of its fuels
in open fires emits smoke and chemicals which cause respiratory diseases with long term
cardiovascular effects.
Virtually there is no direct health effects from the generation of electricity from hydropower.
But the use of electricity gives rise to localised exposures to electromagnetic field which may
enhance the risk of developing certain cancers. Moreover, many waste-related diseases may
occur due to the creation of reservoirs and resettlement of people when dams are built.

HUMAN RIGHTS

"Human rights’ are those basic rights that are essential for the development of human
personality like right to life, liberty, property and security of an individual. Such rights are
sometimes called fundamental rights or basic rights. These are the rights that a human being
should enjoy on this earth.

The foundation of human rights was laid in the 13th century due to the liberal
thoughts of some philosophers. However, the true hopes for all people for happy and
dignified living conditions were raised by the UNO on December 10, 1948 with the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This declaration provided comprehensive protection
to all individuals against all forms' of injustice and human rights violations.

UDHR defines the rights to life, liberty, security, fair trial by law, freedom of thought,
expression, conscience, association and freedom movement. It emphasises the right to equal
pay for equal work, right to health care, education, adequate rest etc.

Human Rights in India

In India, human rights issues have mostly centered around: i) slavery ii) bonded labour (iii)
woman subordination iv] custodial death v) violence against women and minorities vi] child
abuse (vii) dowry deaths (víii) mass killings of dalits (ix) torture (x)-arbitrary detentions etc.

The constitution of India contains a long list of people's civil, political, economic and social
rights to improve their lives. But such rights are often violated by those people who have
power and money. However, the human rights of all people should be respected in view of
overall development and peace.

Human Rights and Environment

The United Nations at Geneva drafted the first ever Declaration of Human Rights and
Environment on May 16, 1994. It embodies the right of every human being to a healthy,
secure and ecologically sound environment and describes the rights and duties that apply to
individuals, governments and international organisations.

The following are the principles of draft declaration.

(i) An ecologically sound environment, sustainable development and peace for all.
(ii) An environment free from pollution and degradation.
(iii) The duties to protect and preserve the environment.
(iv) Social justice and equity with respect to use of natural resources and sustainable
development.
(v) Measures for sustainable development.
(vi) Right of every person to environmental information, education, awareness and also
public participation in environmental decision.

Significance Of Human Rights

The following are the importance of human rights.

(i) Human rights are essential for the adequate development of the human personality.
(ii) Human rights strengthen the development process and translate sustainable development
into practice.
(iii) Human rights avoid adverse physiological effects of techno-scientific growth and
environmental crisis.
(iv) A rational human being has the capacity to determine his needs and also the life style.
(v) Environmental rights ensure the people to live in a healthy environment free from
pollution.

VALUE EDUCATION

Values are ideas, beliefs or norms which a society holds. These are closely related
with the goals of education. Education does not simply mean acquiring knowledge and
information but also its right use within the framework of ethical values. Thus value based
education is essentially Man Making and Character Building. It teaches children to be
compassionate, helpful, peace loving, generous and tolerant, so that they can make their
future more harmonious, peaceful, enjoyable and sustainable.

Ancient Indian education had always provided significance to' value components. However,
with the process of modernisation of education, the emphasis shifted to economic and secular
values. Thus the modern education system lost its role as a guardian of ethical and moral
values.

In recent time, the Government of India has initiated to reorient the present education system
by establishing value-based education. As a part of this effort, National Resource Centre on
Value Education (NRCVE) has been set up at NCERT to realise the goals of value-based
education at school stage in the country

Value Based Environmental Education

The environment belongs to man and his actions affect the environment. When the
environment gets degraded it affects his health and well being. Thus the following values
should be inculcated in man's attitude and behaviour about environment.

(i) Recognising ‘man in nature' rather than ‘nature for man'.

(ii) Having love, compassion, tolerance and justice towards nature.
(iii) Not exploiting nature without nurturing her.
(iv) Learning that human civilization is a part of the Earth and various natural phenomena are
interconnected with special bonds of harmony.
(v) Developing the principles of self-restraint and self-discipline in his attitude.

HIV/ AIDS

Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a viral disease which is caused by Human
Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV). The disease cripples the immune system and thereby the
patient is unable to defend himself against infections.

Sources of HIV Infection

Usually, a high load of HIV is present in the blood semen and CSF (Cerebro-spinal fluid) of
persons having HIV infection. However, a low load of HIV has also been detected in tears,
saliva, breast milk, urine and cervical and vaginal secretions of infected persons. )

Transmission of HIV

The following are the most common methods through which HIV is transmitted from one
person to another.

(i) Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.

(ii) From infected mother to the foetus through placenta.
(iii) Through breast feeding from infected mother to baby
(iv) Blood transfusion and organ transplantation.
(v) From the use of contaminated needles or blades or razors and other equipments of
barbers.

But, AIDS do not spread through physical contact, caring of infected persons, sharing meals,
mosquito bites, sharing toilets, facial kissing and hugging.

Symptoms

The following are the important symptoms of AIDS.

(i) Swollen lymph modes.

(ii) Severe damage to brain.
(iii) Reduced count of blood platelets and haemorrhage.
(iv) Regular fever sweating at night and weight loss.
v]White spots on the tongue, in the mouth or in throat.

Diagnosis
AIDS patient has anti-HIV antibodies in his/her blood. This can be detected by ELISA test
(Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay). A positive ELISA is confirmed by another test
called Western Blot Test.
AIDS in India

The incidence of AIDS shows an upward trend in India. It is now spreading from urban to
rural areas. About 3.7 million persons in the country were infected with HIV/AIDS in 2000.

Most of the reported cases were in the age group of 18-40 years, Certain states such as
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Manipur are classified as
HIV/AID high incidence states.

To spread awareness about AIDS among public, December 1, is declared as Worlds AIDS
Day.

WOMEN AND CHILD WELFARE

Women and children constitute a majority of human population. They consist of nearly 70%
of the population of the developing countries. But in India their population is 62% which
comprises 22% women (between 15-44 years) and 40% children (under 15 years of age).

Women and children are the most vulnerable group of the society. Sexual abuse, exploitation
and deprivation of women and children of their fundamental rights are quite common in
India. For example, a large section of children is working in restaurants and even in
dangerous factories such as firework factories, bangle and carpet-making units. Similarly,
women are not being given equal pay for the same job as compared to men.

Women welfare in India

The Government of India has undertaken the following measures for the social, educational
and economic empowerment of women.

i) Started a number of programmes for empowering the women such as support to Training
cum Employment for Women (STEP), Condensed Courses of Education, and Vocational
Training (CCE and VT), Rural Women's Development and Empowerment Projects, Indira
Mahila Yogana, Balika Samridhi Yogana, Rashtriya Mahila Kosh etc.

(ii) The Government has created an office of the commissioner for the Right of woman
which receives complaints/ grievances regarding family violence, harassment for dowry,
dowry death, discrimination in employment etc.

(iii) National Commission for women which was created in January 1992 launched a
campaign of “Dahej Mukti Abhiyan" against the practice of dowry in 1999.

(iv) A task force chalked out specific programmes for observing the year 2001 as "Women
Empowerment Year."

(v) Reproductive Child Health Programme (RCH) launched in October 1997, has decreased
infant mortality rate.
(vi) Pre-natal Diagnostic Technique Act 1984, banned the pre-natal sex determination test to
check female foeticide.

(vii) Various departments and ministries of the Central Government identify Component
Plans for Women and ensure allocation / expenditure of money in various programmes meant
for women.

(viii) Women are given 33% reservation in Panchayath Raj institutions.

(ix) Provision for free and compulsory education for girl child.

(x) The Eighth Plan of the Central Government has formulated the Child Survival and Safe
Motherhood (CSSM) Programme.

Child Welfare in India

Children are the assets of a society. But many of them are working in hazardous industries in
miserable and unhealthy conditions without even sufficient food.

The Government of India set up a “National Children Board” headed by the Prime Minister
in December 1974. The following are some of the programmes undertaken by the
Government of India for the welfare of children.

(i) Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). ICDS is a centrally sponsored scheme
that commenced in 1975. It aims at:

a) Improving nutritional and health status for children.

b) Proper psychological and social development of children.
c) Decreasing incidence of their mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropouts.
d) Increasing capacity of mother to look after normal health and nutritional needs of
child through proper health, nutrition and education.

(ii) Balwadi Nutrition Programme. Balwadi Nutrition programme was commenced in

1970-71. It aims at providing full nutrition, entertainment facilities and informal pre-school
education to the children of 3-5 years age.

(iii) Toy Bank Scheme. This scheme was commenced on 14th November (Children's day)
1986. Under this scheme, toys are collected in schools from children and are sent to
Anganwadis, Balwadis etc. for distributing to the children who cannot afford to buy the toys.

(iv) Child Labour Eradication Scheme. The child labour eradication scheme was launched
in 1994. It aims at shifting child labourers from hazardous industries to school,.

(v) Mid-day Meal Scheme. This scheme was commenced in 1995. Under this scheme,
children studying in schools run by local bodies and government aided primary schools are
provided free mid-day meals.
(vi) Legislative Measures. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986
prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 in certain occupations and
processing units like weaving, sari making, sericulture etc.