Demographic Transition of the Bundelkhand Region

Inhabited villages in Bundelkhand district are found to be 1559 as against the 97942 in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Inhabited villages in Bundelkhand account for 1.59 per cent of the state of Uttar Pradesh. The average size of household in Bundelkhand is found to be 6.70, which is higher than to that of state economy of 6.50.

DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION

Demographers refer to these changes from stable population with high fertility and mortality to a new

In 1901 the world population was 1.6 billion. By 1960, it became 3 billion, and by 1987, 5 billion and in 1999, 6 billion. Currently, one billion people are added every 12 - 13 years. During the last decade there has been substantial decline in birth rate. The reasons for decline vary from society to society; urbanization, rising educational attainment, increasing employment among women, lower infant mortality are some major factors responsible for growing desire for smaller families; increasing awareness and improved access to contraception have made it possible for the majority of the couple to achieve the desired family size. In some countries slowing of the population growth has been due to an increase in mortality (e.g. predictions. Currently, the annual increment is about 80 million. It is expected to decrease to about 64 million by 2020 -25 and to 33 million by 2045 -50; 95 % of the growth of population occurs in developing countries.

During demographic transition along with the growth in number there are changes in the population age structure. While the importance of the population growth as a determinant of quality of life is universally understood, the profoundly serious consequences of changing age structure especially if it occurs too rapidly is not understood by many. Population pyramids graphically represent complex changes in age structure of the population so that it can be readily understood and interpreted. The population pyramids for the global population, developed and developing countries .Currently nearly half of the global population is below 25 years of age and one sixth is in the age group 15-24. Their choices, efforts and lifestyles will determine not only the population growth but also future improvement in the quality of life in harmony with global ecology. This enabled them to quickly achieve population stabilization but they do face the problems of rapid changes in the age structure and workforce which may be inadequate to meet their manpower requirements. In contrast the population in most of the developing countries (including India) consists of a very large proportion of children and persons in reproductive age. Because of the large reproductive age group (Population momentum) the population will continue to grow even when replacement level of fertility is reached (couples having only two children). It is imperative that these countries should generate enough employment opportunities for this work force and utilize the human resources and accelerate their economic growth. Planners and policy makers in developing countries like India have to take into account the ongoing demographic changes (number and age structure of the population) so that available human resources are optimally utilized as agents of change and development to achieve improvement in quality of life.

Over the last four decades there has been rapid fall in Crude Death Rate (CDR) from 25.1 in 1951 to 9.8 in 1991 and less steep decline in the Crude Birth Rate (CBR) from 40.8 in 1951 to 29.5 in 1991.The annual exponential population growth rate has been over 2% in the period 1961-90. During the nineties the decline in CBR has been steeper than that in the (CDR) and consequently, the annual population growth rate has fallen below 2% (Figures 4.3 & 4.4). The rate of decline in population growth is likely to be further to achieve a relatively gradual change in the population numbers and age structure. At one end of the spectrum is Kerala with mortality and fertility rates nearly similar to those in some of the developed countries. At the other end, there are four large northern States (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) with high Infant Mortality Rate and Fertility Rates. Though the decline in CBR, IMR and CDR has occurred in all States, the rate of decline was slower in some States like U.P. and Bihar. There are substantial differences in CBR and IMR not only between States but also between the districts in the same state.In view of these findings, the NDC Committee on Population recommended that efforts should be made to provide reproductive and child health services at district level and undertake decentralized area-specific micro planning and implementation of appropriate interventions.

The population in Bundelkhand is found to be 2647292, which is 1.59 per cent of state population of 166198000. Of the total district population, 1415425 are found to be the male, while remaining 4231867 females. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, the corresponding figures come to 87565000 for male and to 78633000 for females. Sex ratio comes to 875 in the Bundelkhand district, which is found to be lower than to that in state economy of 898. The density of population comes to 998 in the district Bundelkhand, which is much higher than that in the state of Uttar Pradesh (690). Decadal growth rate of population in the district is found to be much higher (28.50 per cent) than to that of the state of Uttar Pradesh (25.85 per cent). SC population as a per cent of total population comes to 15.9 per cent in Bundelkhand district, which is found to be much higher than to that in the state of Uttar Pradesh (12.73 per cent). Similarly, the percentage of ST population are found to be higher in district Bundelkhand (1.72 per cent) than to that of the state of Uttar Pradesh of (0.02 per cent). In sharp contrast to above, rural population (52.35 per cent) and urban population (47.65 per cent) are found to be higher in the state as compared to the district Bundelkhand being to 26.9 per cent and to 30.50 per cent.

Muslim population accounts for 45.54 percent in the district. In the state economy the corresponding figure comes to 18.49 per cent. Hindu population accounts for 53.85 per cent in Bundelkhand, which is much lower than that in the state of Uttar Pradesh per cent). Boudh population is 80.62 found to be higher in Bundelkhand (0.23 per cent) that in the state of Uttar Pradesh than to (0.13 percent). However, Sikh

The population by age, male and female in 2001. We find that in the district, male children are 43.73 per cent, which is much higher than to that of state economy (40.97 per cent). Similarly, female children are found to be relatively more significant in Bundelkhand district (43.76 per cent) as compared to that of state of Uttar Pradesh (40.56 per cent). Total children (male and female combined) come to 43.64 per cent in Bundelkhand district, which is much higher than to that of the state economy of 41.37 per cent. Across the different age groups, population between the age groups of 05 to 09 is found to be relatively more significant in the district than to that in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Compares the persons employed in different economic activities in Bundelkhand district and in the state of Uttar Pradesh. We find that -(i) Main workers as percent of population and (ii) Other main workers as a percentage of total main workers are found to be much higher in the Bundelkhand district than to that in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

The various socio-economic indicators discussed above, are ranked from one to ten Rank 1 implies the highest level of deficit in development, which needs to be given the top priority for consideration by the planners and policy makers. Rank 10 implies the lowest socio -economic development deficit, which needs to be given the lowest priority by the planners and policy makers. We compared here below the socio-economic development indicators for the district Bundelkhand as well as for India.

The inadequate availability of safe drinking water has been found as the principal reason for the socio -economic backwardness of minority population. It is found that as much as 23.22 per cent in the district as against the 87.90 per cent in the country has the inadequate supply of safe drinking water. There exists a gap of –64.68 per cent between the district and the country. Among 900 households, 20.34 per cent of Hindu households, 28.90 per cent of Muslim households and to 23.22 per cent of all households combined are found having inadequate supply of safe drinking water. A concerted effort is required to be made to overcome the problem of safe drinking water on priority basis. to be the sanitation. Field enquiry suggests that sanitation facility is available to 33.56 per cent of houses in the district while such facility is available to 67.90 per cent of houses in the country as a whole. The lack of sanitation facility is found to be number 3 among the development gaps in the district Bundelkhand. Between district and the India, the gap in sanitation works out to be -34.34 per cent. In sampled 30 villages, the sanitation facility comes to 26.10 per cent in case of Hindu, 48.05 per cent in case of Muslim, and to 33.56 per cent in case of all communities combined.

Another socio-economic deficit of minority population in sampled villages is the educational backwardness. Among development deficits, educational backwardness is placed as number 4 in district Bundelkhand. The rate of male literacy is found to be much lower (63.37 per cent) in the district than to that in the country (67.30 per cent). Similarly, female literacy in the district (53.11 percent) is found to be much lower than to that in the country (57.10 per cent). Thus, there is a gap of minus 3.99 percent in female literacy and to 3.93 per cent in male literacy between Bundelkhand district and the country.

Another socio-economic deficit is the inadequate supply of electricity. It is found to be 20.56 per cent in the district as against the 67.90 per cent in the country as a whole. Thus, there exists a gap of -47.34 per cent between Bundelkhand district and the country. Among the development deficits, the inadequate supply of electricity is ranked No.2 in the district Bundelkhand. Among 900 households surveyed in Bundelkhand district across different religions, the supply of electricity is found to be 19.32 per cent among Hindu, 23.05 per cent among Muslims, and to 20.50 per cent among all households combined. So as to overcome the shortage of electricity the electrification drive is required to be undertaken at the grassroots level.

CONCLUSION

The geographical area of the UP Bundelkhand is 2.94 Mha which is about 12.21% of that of the State. Depending upon the economic considerations and infrastructure development, UP-Bundelkhand is the poorest region in comparison with western, central and eastern regions of the state. For the development of parched geography of Bundelkhand, the state should not only consider financial resources but should prioritize human and natural resources for overall economic development of the country. As a result of all these the decline in the global population million by 2020 -25 and to 33 million by 2045 -50; 95 % of the growth of population occurs in developing countries. Most demographers believe that the current accelerated decline in population growth will continue for the next few decades.

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Research Scholar, Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula District Amroha Uttar Pradesh