Overpopulated Slums in Mumbai: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of overpopulation in Mumbai's slums. It begins with an introduction to Mumbai's demographics, geographical location, and economic significance, highlighting its status as one of the world's most populated cities. The report then delves into the causes of overpopulation, including high birth rates and fertility rates, and the resulting strain on natural resources. The consequences of overpopulation are examined across environmental, social, and economic dimensions, including environmental degradation, food insecurity, and economic challenges. The report evaluates potential solutions, with a focus on family planning and birth control, assessing their social, economic, and environmental impacts. The conclusion emphasizes the sustainability of family planning as a method to improve service provisions, address social issues, and preserve the environment.

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Overpopulated slums in Mumbai
Introduction
Mumbai, is a capital city of Maharashtra state which is in India. This is one of the most
populated cities in the world and in India. The city has a population of over 25 million citizens.
In geographical location, Mumbai is located on the coastal region of Konkan west of India
(Weinstein, 2014). Additionally, it is considered as one of the wealthiest cities in India with the
highest number of Billionaires and Millionaires. Tropical climate is usually experienced in the
region with an annual temperature of 27.20C. in addition, the city is an economical hub and
considered to be the largest financial and economical capital in India. Generally, it contributes to
about 6.16% of the India GDP. Overpopulation is the reality where a lot of people are defined to
be living in a small area. Higher population may be an issue especially if most of the population
is aged due to low economic activities which may be undertaken (Vaughan, 2016). Food
insecurities and food crises may lead to people living on one area where life is cheap and
affordable. Creating enough and scattered economic activities can be a key method to control
overpopulation especially where some regions have less population. Family planning is another
solution which can be used to control overpopulation.
Causes of the Issues
In Mumbai, one of the major cause of the overpopulation is the high birth rate which is
higher than the death rate. The systems have ensured that the death rate is minimized and the
control of the birthrate was never implemented. Another cause is that the fertility rate of the
population is high leading to high births (Bhagat, 2019). The increased population increased the
need for more shelter and this uses the natural resources. In addition, high population rates are

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experienced when areas are overpopulated and the systems cannot take up the wastes produced.
The overpopulation in Mumbai can be considered as a man-made issue. This is because the
education to the population on the birth control measures was not implemented when the death
control measures are introduced. The government systems can take up the measures and be
responsible in educating the citizens on health factors.
Consequences of the issue
Overpopulation is likely to negatively affect the environment and the natural resources as
well as the economic activities. First, the straining of the natural resources is likely to happen
when the overpopulation happens. In addition, food insecurities do happen when the natural
resources are strained (Takeuchi, Cropper, & Bento, 2012). The overpopulation is likely to create
an ageing population at one point and this contributes less to the economy. The local population
will be unable to experience better services due to the increased population. The natural
resources such as rivers are likely to dry up due to straining. Cutting of trees to provide shelter is
likely to happen and this causes deforestation.
Economic evaluation of solution
Economic activities largely depend on the type of population available. Minors and over
aged population contribute less to the economic activities. In addition, youthful population
without jobs are likely to contribute negatively to the economic activities as well (International
Conference on Emerging Population Issues in the Asia-Pacific Region: Challenges for the 21st
Century, Ram, Unisa, Sekher, & International Institute for Population Sciences, 2015). Less
economic creation is likely to fail to create enough resources to the population. Creating more
jobs to feed the population is a key solution which will be able to enhance the economic

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activities. More jobs help to distribute wealth and help to feed the population. Control of birth
through family planning is able to distribute the population age and therefore creating an
economic viable population.
Social evaluation of solution
Society is an important factor for the sustainable development. The culture of the society
is likely to contribute to the type and status of population experienced. One of the social solution
to solve the key issues which arise from the overpopulation is to create population which is able
to feed the society. People make the economy to flourish and also can contribute to the failure of
the economy. The unequal opportunities to the society is harming since it promotes
unemployment which increases the crime rates (International Institute for Population Sciences.,
& Population Council (India), 2013). Civil unrest and corruption increases due to lack of equal
opportunities to the society as well. Creating equal opportunities is socially sustainable to solve
these issues which emerge in overpopulated area with unequal opportunities. Birth control
creates an educated and informed society and which makes informed decisions in social issues.
Control of the population in terms of social issues is easy when the control is imposed.
Environmental evaluation of solution
Sustainable development relies on the environment and its resources. For development to
happen, the environment resources must be enough to support the agendas (Goldman, 2013). For
instance, agriculture must be supported by land and rainfall factors which are environmental
factors. Goods and services production relies on the environmental factors. Conserving the
environment creates a mutual ecosystem which supports development in each sector
(Rademacher, & Project Muse, 2018). Control of population can be based on new family

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planning technologies which support the technology aspect. In addition, these methods are less
polluting to the environment. Also, educating the population creates ownership of the birth
control measures which is supported in the grid.
Conclusion
In conclusion, considering the aspects of social, economic and environmental impact,
birth control through family planning is sustainable. The family planning method will be able to
help in improving service provisions, solve social issues and preserve the environment.
Therefore, implementing the method to control the population is sustainable.

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References
Bhagat, N. (2019). Better Health. [Long Beach, California]: California State University, Long
Beach. Accessed from:
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Goldman, C. R. (2013). Climate change and inland waters: Impacts and mitigation for
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Population Sciences. (2015). Population, gender, and reproductive health. Jaipur: Rawat
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International Institute for Population Sciences., & Population Council (India). (2013). Youth in
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Rademacher, A., & Project Muse. (2018). Building Green: Environmental Architects and the
Struggle for Sustainability in Mumbai. Oakland, California: University of California
Press. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/63389/.
Takeuchi, A., Cropper, M., & Bento, A. (2012). The Welfare Effects of Slum Improvement
Programs: The Case of Mumbai. Washington, DC: World Bank.
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/8756.
Vaughan, J. (2016). India and Mumbai. London Franklin Watts
Weinstein, L. (2014). The durable slum: Dharavi and the right to stay put in globalizing
Mumbai. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
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