DISCUSSION

Overpopulation as the state of the population "when there are more people than can live on the earth in comfort,
happiness, and health and still leave the world a fit place for future generations." Every element of the definition is open to
interpretation. Even the carrying capacity of the land -- the number of people that can be supported in an area -- depends
on who is using the land and for what. The same amount of land can support a great many more vegetarians than meat-
eaters. Comfort, health and happiness have different standards among peoples, and the next generation may find the
world more or less "fit," depending on their level of technology. Population density is not an adequate measure of
overpopulation, since countries with advanced economies, like the Netherlands or Hong Kong, can support an extremely
dense population. Whether a country is overpopulated or not depends on its population growth rate, standard of living,
lifestyle, culture, available technology and resources, economy, and other factors. Some experts feel that the earth's
resources are finite and therefore there are limits to population and economic growth; others argue that, as long as
science and technology advance, there are no limits to growth. (Morris,1988)

Overpopulation is the extensive population of an area to the point of overcrowding, depletion of natural resources, or
environmental deterioration. (Mifflin, 2011)

Overpopulation was seen as a root cause of famine, resource depletion, pollution, extinction of species, conflict over
scarce resources, and other global problems. (Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene,2018)

Overpopulation refers to a population which exceeds its sustainable size within a particular environment or habitat.
Overpopulation results from an increased birth rate, decreased death rate, the immigration to a new ecological niche
with fewer predators, or the sudden decline in available resources. Therefore, overpopulation describes a situation in
which, a population in a given ecosystem limit the resources available for survival. (Petersen, 1972)

Overpopulation is simply a situation where too many people live in a location than space, economic and natural
resources can sustain. This means it is not just a specific number, but a relationship between the inhabitants and the
resources available. (Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 2017)

Overpopulation has recognized as a global environmental problem since few decades, as it has caused a number of
adverse effects on environment. Modern medical facilities and illiteracy in some interior regions of developing countries
are the major reasons for development of this inverted pyramid demo-graphic structure. Overpopulation has resulted
in a series of catastrophic consequences by causing increased pressure on existing natural resources. Deforestation,
effect on welfare, climate change, decline in biocapacity, urban sprawl, food security, increase in energy demand and
effect on marine ecosystem are amongst most severe impacts of overpopulation. Concrete steps need to be taken on
national and international level to combat the adverse effects of overpopulation, so that sustainability of natural
resources can be ensured for future generations. (Bhatta , 2010)

Overpopulation is ‘an elitist propaganda onslaught’ to convince people that population growth is bad. Weber attacks the
authoritarian mentality that he believes reinforces so much of the populationist campaign. (Weber,2005)