Impact of Population Growth on Environmental Quality in Aligarh City: A Quantitative Study

Abstract

Rapid population growth has become one of the major environmental concerns in developing countries, particularly in urban areas where increasing population density places significant pressure on natural resources and public infrastructure. Aligarh City, one of the fastest-growing urban centers in Uttar Pradesh, has witnessed considerable demographic expansion over the past two decades, resulting in increased environmental challenges such as air pollution, water contamination, solid waste accumulation, traffic congestion, and shrinking green spaces. The present study quantitatively examines the impact of population growth on environmental quality in Aligarh City. A structured questionnaire was administered to 300 residents selected through simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. The results indicate that respondents perceive rapid population growth as a major contributor to environmental degradation. The mean score for population growth was 4.18 (SD = 0.61), while the environmental quality degradation score was 4.02 (SD = 0.67). Furthermore, a strong positive correlation (r = 0.741, p < 0.001) was found between population growth and environmental pollution, indicating that increasing population significantly affects environmental quality. The study concludes that sustainable urban planning, effective waste management, afforestation, improved public transportation, and stricter environmental regulations are essential for maintaining ecological balance in Aligarh City.