Population, Urban Environment and Health in India

Dewaram A. Nagdeve, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

Rapid population growth, industrialization and urbanization accompanied by growing number of vehicles in country are adversely affecting the environment. Though the relationship is complex, population size and growth tend to expand and accelerate these human impacts on the environment. The present paper is an attempt to discuss the issues and implications of population on urban environment and health of the people. The secondary analysis conducted of changes and trends over last fifty years. The analysis reveals that rapid population growth plays an important role in environmental problems of the country, from air and water pollution to the spread of disease. The considerable magnitude of air and water pollution pulls up the number of people suffering from respiratory and water borne diseases and many a times leading to deaths and serious health hazards. The paper concludes with some policy reflections.