Introduction
- One of the most important aspects of India’s population is its uneven distribution
- On one hand, population in India is highly concentrated in some pockets, such as in highly urbanized, industrialized, and in areas of high agricultural productivity
- While on the other hand, there are virtually demographic deserts in high mountains, arid lands, thickly forested areas and in some remote corners of the country
Major factors influencing the distribution and density of population
- Terrain
- This is a potent factor which influences the concentration and growth of population
- In general, plain areas encourage higher density of population, as compared to mountain regions
- It is because of this reason, that Himalayas which occupy 13% of India’s land area, support only 1-2% of country’s population
- Also, the great plain of North India which cover less than one-fourth of country’s land area, is home to more than half of India’s population
- Climate
- The twin elements of rainfall and temperature, play an important role in determining the population of an area
- Extremes of climate aren’t favorable, while a moderate climate favors population concentration
- It is said that, ‘the population map of India follows its rainfall map”
- As we move from Ganga-Brahmaputra delta in the east, to the Thar desert in the west, the amount of rainfall and density of population decreases
- An exception to this, is the north-western region of India comprising of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, where high population concentration is evident because of the developed irrigation facilities
- Since India is a tropical country, temperature is fairly high and does not play as important role as is done by rainfall except in extreme areas
- Soil
- This factor plays an important role in an overwhelmingly agricultural country like India
- In the northern plain of India, where soil in enriched by the great rivers, high population density is found
- Similarly, the coastal plains with fertile soils have high population density
- On other hand, deserts, mountains with infertile soil have lesser densities
- Water Bodies
- Water is a basic necessity for irrigation, industries, transport and domestic use
- And rivers are a greatest source of fresh water
- Hence, most population is concentrated in river valleys
- Mineral resources
- The higher population densities in the Chhota Nagpur plateau region, and adjoining regions of Odisha are largely due to availability of minerals
- Industries
- Industrial growth offers massive employment opportunities and acts as a great magnet to attract people, resulting in higher densities
- Major causes of high density in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra and Gujarat is the phenomenal growth of Industries in these states
- Transport
- The northern plains of India has a dense network of transport routes and hence is a densely populated region
- The peninsular plateau has moderate network of transport routes, and is moderately populated area
- The Himalayan region badly lacks transport facilities, and is sparsely populated
- Urbanization
- All urban areas are marked by high density of population, as evident in cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi
Distribution of Population in India
- Uttar Pradesh has the largest population of 199.5 million; followed by Maharashtra(112.3 million), Bihar(103.8 million), West Bengal(91.3 million) and Andhra Pradesh including Telangana(84.6 millions)
- These five states account for about half of the country’s population
- According to the 2011 Census
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- Sikkim has the smallest population among all the Indian states
- Delhi with 16.75 million has the largest population among all the Union territories
- The complete scenario of population distribution in Indian states is as indicated below:
