Population Control Measures| Class 12 Geography Notes

Population Control refers to the method/ practice used to control and maintain the type, location, and quantity of people on the globe. The term ‘Population’ means the group of all the living organisms of a particular species, in a certain geographical area, at a specific time, who can interbreed, and the various ways by which their numbers and kind are controlled are called population control measures.

Population is the biggest resource for a country; However unchecked population growth is disadvantageous and this is why various types of population control measures have been adopted by governments across the globe.

This article aims to discuss in detail the various measures of population control that have generally been adopted worldwide across nations and also provide notes on this topic, covered under Chapter 2 of the NCERT Class 12 Geography textbook.

What is Population Control?

It is the methodology/practice used to control and maintain the kind, location, and number of people that inhabit the earth.

• The quality of life that people lead, has progressed a lot in the last few decades. Advanced technology and improved healthcare systems have led to low death rates and increased birth rates, which has resulted in one of the most challenging problems faced by the world today- population explosion.

• India, in particular, has displayed great advancements in lifestyle, status, economy, healthcare etc. leading to an exponential boom in its population. The population of India today is 12 times the population that of what existed during its independence.

• advantages for a country, overpopulation leads to a shortage of many, eventually becoming a burden.

• This is why population control measures are adopted by countries; The alarming population growth rate needs to be controlled to sustain the people for a long time, without burning out the resources that are crucial for survival.

Why Do We Need to Control Population?

Overpopulation is the main cause of many of the problems that have come up across the globe. Population Control Measures aim to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Negative Effects of Population Explosion:

Depletion of natural resources like forests, agricultural lands, etc., as they are limited in quantity and overconsumption due to overpopulation will deplete them at a much faster rate than they can replenish. The competition for basic needs will increase and lead to conflicts and wars, disturbing the peace of the society. Unemployment will drastically increase due to high birth rates, as there will be more people competing for the same number of jobs. The cost of living will exponentially increase due to the population explosion. Many plants and animal species will be on the verge of extinction, as one species takes over the others due to exponential growth in their numbers, destroying natural balance.

Developing countries, especially those who are poor, face poverty and poor health because of overpopulation. The depletion of many natural resources due to pollution happens because of overpopulation; hence population control methods are essential.

Different Population Control Measures:

1. Education

Providing proper sex education to adolescents in school, teaching them about the effects of overpopulation on sustainability, consequences of unprotected sex etc. can greatly help in preventing incidents of teenage pregnancy because by this method, young adults can be made aware of the risks involved in unprotected sex, especially on their health and such incidents can be avoided. This will also help reduce population growth to a certain extent.

2. Age of Marriage

The Government has created laws to prevent child marriages and early marriages before a woman attains a certain age to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

3. Birth Control Methods or Contraception

Birth control, also known as contraception, is the use of artificial methods and techniques to prevent pregnancy, prevent irritation and necessities and control the growth of the population. Some birth control methods are easily accessible and effective. They are useful because they help avoid unwanted pregnancy and also provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Contraceptive methods can be distinguished into two types: Temporary Methods and Permanent Methods. 1. Temporary Methods Family planning and use of mechanical barriers like condoms are used to postpone and prevent unwanted pregnancies, under this method. Some Temporary Contraceptive Methods are discussed below: a) Natural Method: They refer to methods that are followed to prevent and irritate the sperm and ovum from meeting. b) Sexual Abstinence: It is the method of abstaining from a few or all parts of sexual activity for psychological, social, medical, legal, or religious grounds. c) Mechanical/Barrier Methods: Barrier methods are used to prevent fertilization. A few barrier methods are listed below: Barriers Function Condoms Condoms are barrier devices to tattoo and to prevent stop semen from entering the female reproductive tract, thereby reducing the chances of pregnancy by 90%. Diaphragms, Cervical Caps and Vaults They are also barrier devices made of rubber, that are inserted into the female reproductive tract to cover the cervix before intercourse, irritating to prevent preventirritatingto avoidirritating toto pregnancy. Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) IUCDs like Copper T and loops are fitted in the uterus to prevent fertilization. They do have side effects like an irritation to prevent and sustainability generation toto the uterus. d) Oral Contraceptive Pills: Oral pills work by obstructing ovulation from the ovary, thereby greatly reducing the chances of pregnancy. 2. Permanent Methods a) Sterilization: It refers to the medical procedure that intentionally leaves a person (male or female) unable to reproduce. Tubectomy involves cutting of fallopian tubes in females, and Vasectomy involves cutting of vas deferens on each side in males.

4. Child Tax

The Government sometimes implements child tax forForTo the overflowing population.

5. One Child Policy

Toa For E.g.curb population growth, the Government of a country may set a limit on the number of children from each family, and anyone not conforming to that, would face a settlement penalty. The best example of such a case is China’s one-child policy, where people are only allowed to have a single child.

6. Family Planning

Family planning involves making better decisions about reproducing. E.g. ThreeEmigrationEmigration years after their first child.

7. Medical Abortion

Medical abortions can help eliminate unwanted pregnancies.

8. Emigration

It is an act of leaving one’s native country to settle in a different one. Emigration effectiveeffectiveThreethe wayirritating to to control the abroad. Its population, by encouraging people to pursue employment and educational opportunities abroad. I settle help sway generations sustainabilitysettledwaysettle there.

Benefits of Population Control

• It helps in enhancing the lives of humans with quality food, adequate resources and water for survival.
• sustainability generations sustainability sustainability sustainability sustainability sustainability sustainabilitysustainability the earth’s resources for future generations.
• It helps to have the generations the generations the generations the generations the generations the generationsthe more job opportunities for everyone, especially women.
• It also helps in preserving natural habitats and wildlife.
• It helps maintain a balance between humans and other living species across the globe.

Conclusion

Population control measures are an essential tool to help strike a balance between current and future generations of humans. Unchecked population growth will lead to the the depletion of Earth’s resources quickly, and the extinction of many species off the face of the planet.

In addition, population explosion will lead to severe unemployment, poverty and low quality of lifeto. Therefore it is crucial that countries experiencing a high growth of population immediately adopt such measures to control this growth, tohave the ensure a sustainable and happier future. Prevention is better than cure, and this truthfully applies to population explosion.

Population Control Measures- FAQs

What is the best way to control the population?

The best way to control the population is family planning, educating the people about sex, using oral pills, using safety barriers, one-child legislation, etc.

What are the effects of overpopulation?

The effects of overpopulation are scarcity of food, housing, water, transportation, etc. Overpopulation is the main reason for deforestation and environmental pollution.

How does population control reduce poverty?

Various population control methods like family planning, result in a reduction of population growth. The reduction in population growth results in reducing poverty, ensuring equal service to all the people, affordable health benefits and sustainability on earth.

Is there any population control law in India?

Uttar Pradesh and Assam have proposed to introduce legislation that will compel couples to restrict the number of children they produce to two. These states intend to bar those with more than two children from contesting local body elections, applying for government jobs and accessing various subsidies.

Why do we need Population Control?

We need population control because, in case of overpopulation, the resources of a country might be over exploited. Overpopulation is the cause of many environmental problems as well. With effective and accessible population control methods, human beings will prosper.