Previous Year Question
Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R) –
Assertion (A) – Population control is necessary to maintain the environment of the country.
Reason (R) – Due to the rapid increase in population, the environmental balance is maintained.
Select the correct answer using the code given below –
Code –
Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not correct explanation of (A)
(A) is false but (R) is true
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Assertion (A) is correct. Rapid Population Growth can create additional environmental pressure by increasing the demand for natural resources. As population increases, requirements for food, drinking water, land, energy, and housing also increase. This may lead to agricultural expansion, Deforestation, excessive exploitation of water resources, and increased waste generation. Therefore, Population Stabilization is considered helpful for environmental conservation and Sustainable Development. A United Nations report published in 2022 also confirms the relationship between population growth and increasing pressure on environmental resources.
Reason (R) is incorrect. Rapid population growth does not automatically maintain Environmental Balance. Increasing consumption of natural resources and changes in land use can affect Ecosystems. For example, converting natural forests into agricultural land or settlements destroys wildlife habitats, may reduce Biodiversity, and can increase Soil Erosion. Similarly, excessive groundwater extraction may lower water levels, while industrial and domestic waste can increase water and air pollution.
The environmental impact of population does not depend solely on the number of people. The IPAT Model considers Population (P), per capita consumption or Affluence (A), and Technology (T) as major factors in assessing environmental impact. Their relationship is expressed as I = P × A × T, where I represents Environmental Impact. Even a relatively smaller population with high consumption and resource-intensive technology can create substantial environmental pressure. According to the United Nations, rising per capita consumption has been an important contributor to increasing resource demand in recent decades.
For Population Stabilization and environmental conservation, education, Voluntary Family Planning, access to reproductive healthcare services, and women's education and empowerment are important. Additionally, promoting Renewable Energy, water conservation, Resource Efficiency, pollution control, and sustainable consumption is essential. The United Nations 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action emphasized individual rights and free choice in population-related decisions. Therefore, environmental conservation requires attention not only to population but also to consumption, technology, and resource management.