Variation in Population Density Using Spatio ...

Variation in Population Density Using Spatio-Temporal Techniques –A case Study of Shirur Tahsil, Western Maharashtra A. M. Zende Annasaheb Dange college of Engineering and Technology, Ashta, Sangli, Maharashtra, India

R. Jadhav Chandmal Tarachand Bora college Shirur, Pune, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT: Population growth, density, sex ratio, literacy etc determine the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of population. In the present paper an attempt has been made to analyze the variations in population density of Shirur Tahsil, Pune District, western Maharashtra. To study the variations and patterns of density, secondary data has been obtained from the town and village directory of Pune district for the three different periods of census years for 1991, 2001 and 2011. ArcGIS 9.3 software was applied to prepare the base map and thematic maps. It is found out from this research that the density of Shirur tahsil and all the circles is continuously increasing from 1991 to 2011. Highest density was observed in Shirur and Talegaon Dhamdhere circle. Shirur Municipal Council, Ranjangaon, Shikrapur, Koregaon Bhima and Sanaswadi are densely populated villages due to the favorable physical and socio-economic factors. The villages and circles which are located near the industrial zone and are well connected by road transportation are characterized with high density of population whereas the remote villages and circles showed the lowest density in study area. Circles are classified into low, moderate and high density patterns. Shirur and Talegaon Dhamdhere circles had highest density whereas Takali Haji, Nhawara circles had lowest density in 1991 and 2001. Keywords–Population, Density, Density Pattern and Industrial Zone 1 INTRODUCTION Man is being powerful geographical factor on the surface not only determines the economic pattern of resource utilization but also he is a very dynamic and important resource for society (Mahajan, 2012). The distribution, growth, density of population is the characteristics of the population. The term density of population was used by Henry in 1837, while preparing railway maps (Barkade, 2011).The concept of density of population is the most rarely and is useful tool in the analysis of the diversity of man’s distribution in space (Clarke, 1972). It is one of the important indices of the concentration of population, nature of balance between population of the region and its natural resources and the magnitude of social, cultural and economic development of region. Population density is a simple concept of relating population size to the land area with a view to assessing crudely the pressure of population upon the resources of the area (Chandana, 2000).However, the density of population is expressed in different ways to understand the population and resources relationship (Narke, 2010).It is stated in terms of persons per unit of area. The population of any area or region is the outcome of its physical, socio-economic environment (Mahesha D. et.al 2012). The density of population increased in all States and Union territories from1951 to 2011. As per census data of 2011, Delhi ranked first (11,320 persons/km2) in Union territories whereas among the states, Bihar stood first (1106 persons /km2), followed by West Bengal (1028 persons /km2) and Kerala (860 persons /km2) to the third place. The density of Maharashtra and Pune

District was 365 and 603 persons/km2respectively. Though the study are had comparatively less density than Pune District and Maharashtra the density of Shirur Tahsil increased from 159persons /km2in 1991 to 257 persons /km2in 2011. These variations at tahsil level and circlewise level were analyzed for the period 1991 to 2011.High increase in population density is a great concern as it puts immense pressure on our natural resources. Differences in climatic conditions, availability of resources, agriculture, industrialization, educational facilities etc. brings variation in population density. Objective: To assess spatio-temporal variations and pattern of population density of the study area. 2 STUDY AREA Shirur Tahsil of Pune District is selected for the present research work. It occupies eastern place of western Maharashtra and Pune district. It lies entirely in the basin of Ghodnadi and Bhima and extends between 18 050” N to19 0 02” N latitude and 740 01” E to 74 0 57” E longitudes, comprising an area of 1514.30 sq. km. The study area is included in SOI Topographic Index Numbers 47J/1, 47J/2, 47J/5, 47J/6, 47J/10 and 47J/11on 1:50,000.This tahsil is confined by Ahmadnagar District to east and north-east, Khed Tahsil to west, Ambegaon tahsil to north-west and Haveli tahsil to South. Shirur tahsil is divided into six circles, namely Pabal, Shirur, Takali-Haji, Talegaon Dhamdhere, Nhavara and Vadgaon-Rasai and covering 117 villages. Shirur is the administrative headquarter of Shirur Tahsil and it is only 67 km from Pune, 55 km from Ahemadnagar and is well-connected by Major State Highway (MSH) 5. The total length of this SH5 is 45 km which connects the villages Koregaon Bhima, Sanaswadi, Shikrapur, kondhapuri, Ranjangaon, Khandale, Pimpri Dumala, Kardilwadi, Ganegaon, Karegaon, Saradwadi and Shirur. State Highway 55, 103, 117, 118, 128 and 129 are well distributed in the study area and so the Shikrapur, Ranjangaon, Shirur, Nhawara, Malthan, Kawathe, Kanhur and Pabal villages are well connected by MSH and SH.

Figure 1 Location Map of Shirur Tahsil

3 DATA AND METHODOLOGY To study the characteristics of population, secondary data has been obtained from the town and village directory of Pune district for the three different periods of census years for 1991, 2001 and 2011. A comparative analysis has been done to assess the spatio-temporal variations in density at circle and tahsil level. Simple statistical techniques and formulas are referred to calculate and

represent the density. The village-wise data is compiled to compute the circle-wise data of Shirur tahsil. ArcGIS 9.3 and ILWIS 3.3 software were applied to prepare the base map and density maps. The detailed methodology for this work is shown in Figure 2.

Base Map (Topographic Sheets)

Ancillary Data (Population, village area)

Scanning of Maps Geo-referencing

Density calculation using Statistical Techniques

Digitization & Editing

Preparation of Tahsil, Village boundary, Density Maps using GIS Software (ARCGIS 9.3 & ILWIS)

Comparative Assessment

Spatio-Temporal variation of Density at Circle and Tahsil Level Figure 2 Flow chart of Methodology

4 RESULT AND DISCUSSION Population distribution is the geographical arrangement of the population within the physical space of the State boundaries. The major factors that determine the pattern of population distribution are: (1) geographical factors, such as climate, terrain, soils and natural resources; (2) economic, social, and political factors, such as the type of economic activity and the form of social organization; and (3) demographic factors, such as the different growth rates that exist between areas as a result of differences in births, deaths and migration rates (Mule, 2011). 4.1 Population Density The culture of the study area, the age, the economic functions, size of population and the physical setting all determines the spatial patterns of the population densities (Borude, 2013).Historical and cultural factors of Shirur Tahsil, geomorphology of the area, old flood plain of Ghod, Kukadi and Bhima rivers, dry and hot climate, well-connectivity with other major cities, economic and agricultural development etc. support the spatial patterns of population density in Shirur tahsil. The ever increasing population is creating continuous pressure on the available resources. Table 1 shows distribution of total population and the variations in overall density among the circles of Shirur Tahsil. The density of Shirur Tahsil has been increasing since 1991, it was 159 persons /km2in 1991 which reached to 257persons/km2in 2011. During the span of two decades, the density of Shirur Tahsil increased by 62 percent. The Circle-wise variation in population density dur-

ing 1991 to 2011 is shown in Table 1. The Circle with the least population density was Nhawara Circle. In 1991, Shirur Circle was at the top in density of 206 persons per sq. km. and Nhawara Circle was at the bottom with 102 persons /km2of density in 1991. Table 1 Total Population and Density of Shirur Tahsil (From 1991 to 2011) Circles of Shirur Tahsil

Population Sq. km

Total Population Area (Sqkm) 266

1991

2001

2011

Takali Haji

32,895

41,222

49,593

Pabal

36,048

41,566

44,834

230

Shirur Talegaon Dhamdhere Nhawara

52,117

70,246

1,00,836

48,023

69,560

25,682

Vadgaon Rasai Shirur Tahsil

Density

per

1991

2001

124

155

186

157

180

195

253

206

278

399

95,944

247

194

282

388

35,744

38,589

253

102

141

153

44,640

52,252

55,618

251

178

208

221

2,38,609

3,10,590

3,85,414

1500

159

207

257

1991

2001

2011

2011

pOPULATION DENSITY/ SQKM

500 400 300 200 100 0 Takali Haji

Pabal

Shirur

Talegaon Dhamdhere

Nhawara

Vadgaon Rasai

Shirur Tahsil

CIRCLE name

Figure 3 Population Density of Shirur Tahsil (1991 -2011)

As per census of 2001, among the Shirur Tahsil circles, Talegaon Dhamdhere Circle with a highest density of 282/km2and it was followed by Shirur Circle (278 persons /km2) in 2001. In 2011, the highest density was observed in Shirur Circle (399 persons /km2). It indicated the highest growth in density among all the circles and it was 110.40 percent growth during the span of twenty years. Shirur circle includes 23 villages and Shirur Municipal Council urban centre. The density of Shirur Municipal Council was 2922 persons/km2 in 1991 and it increased to 5890 persons/km2 in 2011. Maximum density was recorded in the villages of Ranjangaon, Saradwadi, Karegaon, Dhoksangavi, Kardelwadi and Khandale. Educational, health facilities, Major State Highway 5, Ranjangaon MIDC, cultural and religious tourists centers lead to raise the density in this circle. At the same time Karanjawane, Pimpri Dumala, Ganegaon Khalsa, Bhambarde, Babulsarkh villages of Shirur Circles recorded least density due to the absence of transportation facilities. Talegaon Dhamdhere circle has 18 villages with 250 km2area. Sanaswadi, Koregaon Bhima, Shikrapur are the sub-urban places of this Circle and the industrial areas are well connected by Major State Highway 5. Nhawara circle had lowest density but ranked second in growth of density during the study period. Out of 15 villages of Nhawara Circle, Nhawara, Uralgaon, Ambale, AlegaonPaga, RanjangaonSandas, Karade, Nimone villages had highest density due to fertile soil, Chaskaman irrigation facilities, sugar industry, road network and seasonal immigration of sugarcane cutters.

Takali Haji circle stood second in the lowest density (186 persons/km2). This is the northern part of the Shirur Tahsil and is located between Kukadi and Ghod river. Vadner Khurd village ranked first in density while Jambut, Ichakewadi villages also recorded high density. Lift irrigation of Ghod river, fertile soil are the main causes of the agriculture based economy of this circle. Vadgaon Rasai depicted the lowest growth in population density during the first decade whereas population density of Shirur Circle was decreased by 4.72 percent in the second decade. 4.2 Spatial Pattern of Density Density is taken into consideration while grouping the density pattern. Circle-wise density is classified into low, moderate and high literacy categories. Density pattern depicts the concentration of population and the causes of it. 4.2.1 Low Density Pattern The circles having 100 to 150 persons /km2 are included in low density pattern. In 1991, Takali Haji and Nhawara circles had low density because of less transportation and educational facilities. Nhawara circle had lowest density in 2001 whereas there was nil area under this category in 2011. 4.2.2 Moderate Density Pattern The circles which recorded the density between 151 to 250 persons /km2were included into moderate density category. Table No. 2 specifies that among the circles, Talegaon Dhamdhere, Vadgaon Rasai and Pabal circles had moderate density in 1991. In 2001, Takali Haji, Vadgaon Rasai and Pabal Circle were recorded in moderate density. In 2011Nhawara and Pabal circles were added in this class along with the Takali Haji and Vadgaon Rasai circles. Table 2 Circle-wise Density Pattern of Shirur Tahsil Density per

Density

sq. km.

Pattern

100-150

Low

>250

2001

2011

Takali Haji, Nhawara

Nhawara

Nil

Shirur Tahsil,

Takali Haji,

Takali Haji,

Talegaon Dhamdhere,

Pabal, ,

Pabal,

Vadgaon Rasai ,

Vadgaon Rasai,

Density Moderate

151-250

1991

Density

High Density

Vadgoan Rasai Pabal

Shirur Tahsil

Nhawara

-

Shirur, Talegaon Dhamdhere

Shirur, Talegaon Dhamdhere, Shirur Tahsil

4.2.3 High Density Pattern The circles which have more than 251 persons /km2 were mentioned in high density category. In 1991, there was no one circle in this category but in 2001 and 2011 Shirur and Talegaon Dhamdhere circles were included in this category (Figure 4). Kondhapuri, Ranjangaon Ganapati, Saradwadi, Koregaon Bhima, Sanaswadi, Shikrapur and Talegaon Dhamdhere villages are well connected by SH 60. The availability of management and professional educational institutions, Ranjangaon, Sanaswadi MIDC’s, more job opportunities, road network attract the population from the surrounding areas.

Figure 4 Population Density of Shirur Tahsil in 1991, 2001 and 2011

5 CONCLUSION 1) Density of Shirur Tahsil and all the circles is continuously increasing from 1991 to 2011. Highest density was observed in Shirur and Talegaon Dhamdhere circle due to the older flood plain of Ghod-Bhima, fertile soil, transportation network, Chaskaman canal irrigation, Shikrapur and Sanaswadi industrial zone etc.

2) The villages having well transportation network indicated high density of population whereas the remote villages and circles showed the lowest density in study area. Low, moderate and high density patterns are observed in the study area. 3) Shirur and Talegaon Dhamdhere circles had highest density whereas Takali Haji, Nhawara circles had lowest density in 1991 and 2001. There was the absence of high density circle in 1991 and low density circle in 2011. REFERENCES Clarke, J. I. 1972. Population Geography, Pergamon Press Oxford: 29. Barakade, A. J. 2011. Changing pattern of population density in Satara district of Maharashtra, Review of Research, Vol 1, Issue 2: 1-4. Borude, S. A. and Gaikwad, S. D. 2014. Application of Spatial variation Urban Density Model : A study of Ahmednagar City , Maharashtra, India, Scholarly Research Journal For Interdisciplinary Studies, Vol 2, Issue 14: 2081-2090. Mahajan, Y. 2012. A study of population growth and agriculture intensification of Jalgoan District, Sustainable rural development with inclusive approach, Insight publications, Nashik: 45-49. Mahesha, D. and Shivalingappa, B. N. 2012. An Appraisal of Population Characteristics in Union Territories of India, International Journal of Research in Management, Vol. 3, Issue. 2: 25-30. Mule, B. M. and Barkade, A. J. 2011. Growth of Population Change in Maharashtra(India), Geoscience Research, Vol. 2, Issue 2, pp. 70-75. Narke, S. Y. 2010. Population density patterns in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, Bhugolshastra Parishad: 1-4. Vikasvedh 1988. Chandmal Tarachand Bora College, Shirur, Dist Pune.