Environmental effects of rapid population growth

Environmental effects of rapid population growth

 

As we are discussing effects of rapid population growth, today we will deals with environmental effects of rapid population growth. You can see the socio-economic effects of rapid population growth from here too. 

Environmental effects of rapid population growth 

a) Forest and vegetation 

Forest is an important natural resource and important aspect of human life. It plays a vital role to maintain a balance between the natural environment and human life. It provides natural shelter for a number of wile animals. Natural calamities are also controlled by proper maintenance of forest and vegetation. 

Five decades ago, about 57% of the total land area was covered by forest in Nepal. At present, it has reduced to 25.4% (IUCN, 2011) of the total land. It will continuously decrease in the future if population growth continues to increase without any conservation measures. The practice of clearing forests for cultivation and settlement is very high. Vegetation, wild animals and birds are reduced in numbers and the ecosystem is disturbed. Different kinds of effects are created on the environment such as: 

1. Destruction of natural resource 
2. Overuse of forest land and vegetation 
3. Depletion of ozone layer 
4. Imbalance in the ecosystem and environment 

b) Aquatic and terrestrial animals 

Animals which live on land are called terrestrial animals and those which live in water are called aquatic animals. If population increases rapidly, the settlement areas of these creatures will be taken over by people. Their food, settlement and life cycle are slowly destroyed, and environment degradation starts. 

The growing population conducts different activities for their daily life. As a result, resources like air, water, land are polluted; food for aquatic and terrestrial creatures will not be available in adequate animals. Illegal hunting and poaching activities have made many animals and plants extinct. People enroach forest land; conduct different activities in water like fishing, boating, swimming, rafting etc. Such activities pose a threat to terrestrial and aquatic animals. 

Urbanization and industrialization increase with population growth. It has created problems for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Urbanization and industrialization produce harmful chemicals, waste materials and smoke, etc. which mix up with the resources. The quality and condition of the resources are severely destroyed. Problems of acid rain, ozone layer depletion and scarcity of food grains arise. Therefore, a number of animals are becoming extinct due to the rapid population growth. 

c) Air, water and land 

All living creatures need resources in their everyday life. Their residence, respiration, life cycle, and all other life-sustaining activities depend on air, water, land and other natural resources. Rapid growth of population is mainly responsible for the degradation and pollution of air, water and land. 

Urbanization and industrialization increase with the increase in population. Due to this, abundant waste materials and harmful pollutants are created and the environment is degraded. Available air, water, land along with other resources are also destroyed, and their quality and quantity decline. Human beings are responsible for the production of harmful waste materials. Excessive production of harmful chemicals increases the probability of air, water and land pollution. Solid wastes mix up with the soil, harmful chemicals mix up into water, and gases and smoke with air. Some of the effects of rapid population growth on air, water and land are as follows: 

1. Alteration in the composition of air (air pollution )
2. Spread of foul gas, smoke, etc.
3. Drying up the water resources.
4. Scarcity of drinking  water.
5. Encroachment of land for settlement.
6. Excessive dumping of wastage , sewage, garbage, etc. on land.
7. Spread air-borne and water-borne communicable diseases.

d) Sound pollution

Sound  is a form of energy that we hear with our ears. Sound may originate from different sources. Its intensity is measured in decibels. The sound up to 80 decibel is noisy or polluted. Therefore, sound  with intensity of more than 80 decibel that causes harmful effects on our health is called sound  pollution or noise .The crowds of people, bells , vehicles, machinery are the main sources of excessive sound. We, human beings are mainly responsible for sound pollution in the environment. Different kinds of activities like industrial establishment, running vehicles , use of electronic goods etc. by people create sound  in the environment . The production of  sound adversely affects  different aspects of our lives . The effects of sound pollution are as follows:

i. Loss of hearing power and deafness.

ii. Mental irritation, anxiety and depression.

iii. Change in behavioral pattern of people.

iv. Cardiovascular, neurotic and other physiological disorders.

e) Minerals 

Naturally occurring solid inorganic substances , formed as a result of some geological processes , are called minerals. Several types of minerals are used for development works. They are also needed to our body for proper functioning of different systems. There is close relationship between population size and minerals within a country. The rapid growth of population is responsible for the excessive  and improper use of minerals. It creates imbalance between needs of minerals and supply of them for human beings. It is sure that there is fear of shortage of required amount of minerals in future due to rapid population growth. It is better to reduce the use of minerals or to use alternative sources of mineral in order to sustain them. The effects of rapid  population growth on mineral are as follows:

i. Scarcity of minerals in the environment.

ii. Fear of shortage of mineral for future use.

iii. Imbalance in the ecosystem.

f) Flood, landslide and soil erosion

Flood , landslide and soil erosion are the major environmental problems of Nepal. Main cause of such environmental problems is rapid population growth in Nepal. These are natural processes , but are directly or indirectly related with the increase in human population. Excessive use of forest, water, production of smoke, gases, etc. are the main cause of flood, landslide and soil erosion.

Encroachment of land , rivers and forest creates flood, landslide and soil erosion.  During every rainy season, we get to hear and see news of floods, landslides and soil erosion in different  parts of our country.