POPULATION GROWTH AND CHANGING LAND-USE PATTERN IN MUMBAI METROPOLITAN REGION OF INDIA

Abstract

into changing land-uses pattern. Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is one of the fastest growing region of India. Its population increased from 7.7 million in 1971 to 18.3 million in 2001 and is projected to be increased 22.4 million in 2011. With the saturation of land in the city followed by suburbs, other parts of the metropolitan region plows now experiencing the fast growth. Due to growing population pressure the total built-up and industrial area in Mumbai Metropolitan Region has increased from 4.9 percent in 1971 to 12 percent in 1991 and is projected to constitute 31 percent of the total area in 2011. On the other hand, area under forest cover has declined from 30 percent in 1971 to 27 percent in 1991 and is expected to it declines further to 22 percent by 2011. Using various demographic and spatial analysis techniques, this paper attempts to shows the effect of population growth on land-uses and subsequently on the regional environment. It also evaluates critically the development plan of the region. The dates it goes the study have obtained from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and Census of India.