Overpopulation
A surprising thing about overpopulation is that it doesn’t mean that the population of a species has to be very large. Instead, it means there aren’t enough resources to spread around among the current population.
Overpopulation of humans is a big problem to the environment and a big threat to biodiversity. Since the 1800’s, the population has increased because we have developed more food, hygiene, and medicine. This means humans are able to live longer and have more children which increases the population. Overpopulation of humans doesn’t mean that the population has to be very large, but that there aren’t enough resources to spread around among the people. Therefore, humans often destroy the environment to get those resources. This often causes habitat loss for some animals which is a threat to biodiversity.
A mega-city is a city with a population of over 10 million people. Most megacities are what they are today because people came there for jobs. When megacities form, there is an enormous loss of habitat for native species and a big drop in the area's biodiversity 1. Tokyo with a population of 34,200,000 2. Mexico City with a population of 22,800,000 3. Seoul with a population of 22,300,000 4. New York City with a population of 21,900,000 5. São Paulo with a population of 20,200,000 6. Mumbai with a population of 19,850,000 7. Delhi with a population of 19,700,000 8. Shanghai with a population of 18,150,000 9. Los Angeles with a population of 18,000,000 10.Osaka with a population of 16,800,000 Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is one of India's megacities and forecast to become the world’s second-largest urban agglomeration.
Mumbai is the first city india in terms of population. As said before Mumbai-the mega city in India is over populated because of the following reasons
1. Mumbai is what it is today because people came there for jobs. When mega-cities form, there is an enormous loss of habitat for native species and a big drop in the area's biodiversity The other causes of over population in Mumbai are as follows: Some causes of human overpopulation in mumbai are: • • • • •
Development of better hygiene Development of food production Development of better medicine People living longer than they used to People being healthier and having children
Employment and educational opportunities are the main attraction of urban centers. But hopes for a better life are often dashed as overpopulation puts a huge strain on cities' infrastructures and their ability to provide basic necessities - like clean water and a decent place to live. Many rural migrants who come to Mumbai fail to find adequate work, and therefore cannot afford decent housing. The World Bank says 54 per cent of Mumbai's 15 million residents live in slums.
The threat of diseases in crowded cities has taken on a new urgency with the looming threat of a bird flu pandemic. India reported its first ever outbreak in chickens in Maharashtra state, where Mumbai is located. Officials have contained the spread and there are no cases of humans becoming infected for now.
Like in so many developing nations, Indian authorities are working to improve infrastructure and slum conditions, but resources are limited. Mumbai's population will continue to grow. The question is whether the city - and other megacities like it - can take the strain.
Fifteen million people in Bombay have sidewalks for beds (Associated Press), and 25% of the population is below the poverty line (CIA World Factbook). All of these issues boil down to the simple idea that there are not enough goods to go around. Or, if there are enough goods to go around, then there is not enough government to dispense them.
Causes of Overpopulation in Mumbai: Decline in the Death Rate: The fall in death rates that is decline in mortality rate is one fundamental causes of overpopulation. Owing to the advancements in medicine, man has found cures to the previously fatal diseases. The new inventions in medicine have brought in treatments for most of the dreadful diseases. This has resulted in an increase in the life expectancy of individuals. Mortality rate has declined leading to an increase in population. Owing to modern medications and improved treatments to various illnesses, the overall death rate has gone down. The brighter side of it is that we have been able to fight many diseases and prevent deaths. On the other hand, the medical boon has brought with it, the curse of overpopulation. Rise in the Birth Rate: Thanks to the new discoveries in nutritional science, we have been able to bring in increase in the fertility rates of human beings. Medicines of today can boost the reproductive rate in human beings. There are medicines and treatments, which can help in conception. Thus, science has led to an increase in birth rate. This is certainly a reason to be proud and happy but advances in medicine have also become a cause of overpopulation. Migration: Immigration is a problem in some parts of the world. If the inhabitants of various countries migrate to a particular part of the world and settle over there, the area is bound to suffer from the ill effects of overpopulation. If the rates of emigration from a certain nation do not match the rates of immigration to that country, overpopulation makes its way. The country becomes overly populated. Crowding of immigrants in certain parts of the world, results in an imbalance in the density of population. Lack of Education: Illiteracy is another important cause of overpopulation. Those lacking education fail to understand the need to prevent excessive growth of population. They are unable to understand the harmful effects that overpopulation has. They are unaware of the ways to control population. Lack of family planning is commonly seen in the illiterate lot of the world. This is one of the major factors leading to overpopulation. Due to ignorance, they do not take to family planning measures, thus contributing to a rise in population. Viewing the issue of increasing population optimistically, one may say that overpopulation means the increase in human resources. The increase in the number of people is the increase in the number of productive hands and creative minds. But we cannot ignore the fact that the increase in the number producers implies an increase in the number of consumers. Greater number of people requires a greater number of resources. Not every nation is capable of providing its people with the adequate amount of resources. The ever-increasing population will eventually leave no nation capable of providing its people with the resources they need to thrive. When the environment fails to accommodate the living beings that inhabit it, overpopulation becomes a disaster.
