Time we solved the population question
This is with regard to the editorial “Our population question” (1-15 June, 2023). It is well written and covers several aspects related to population growth. However, it still seems incomplete.
It is an important development that India’s total fertility rate (TFR) has reached 2.1 or the replacement level (which represents the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next, resulting in zero population growth). But this is still not the endgame. We need to reduce the population by orders of magnitude.This brings us to the matter of population regulation, which has unfortunately become necessary. Humans are no longer a direct part of the natural food chain.The only factor directly influencing our population is the availability of natural resources that can sustain only so many of us.
For instance, the country has only 4 per cent of the world’s freshwater supplies, while it hosts around 18 per cent of world’s population.The belief that the country receives sufficient rainfall to fulfil the needs of its large population does not carry much weight. Two, only around 8 per cent of the rainwater received is harvested. And three, more than 90 per cent of the groundwater (which should have been recharged by rainwater) is claimed by agricultural practices—and is shamelessly misused.
Similarly, we do not have enough food and other natural resources to support the population. Hence, the country must regulate its population numbers—nature can no longer provide help.
A low TFR is also not going to help us. As already being experienced by developed countries, a low TFR comes with its own set of problems: a skewed workforce-to-population ratio results in a high tax burden on those who are employed and a significantly lesser number of young people to take care of the elderly. If we could find solutions to these issues, then India can chart a different growth trajectory than the developed countries.
ANANT RAO KANDIKUPPA
A valuable resource on environment
Down To Earth provides a library at one’s fingertips. I came across the magazine through the programmes conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment. It has helped me gain insights on several aspects of environment and health. GEOPHREY ZENDA
DAR ES SALAAM