The correct answer is (b) 1971-1981.
The population of Assam grew at an average annual rate of 2.8% during the 1971-1981 decade, which was the highest among all the states in India. This was due to a number of factors, including a high birth rate, a low death rate, and an influx of refugees from Bangladesh.
The birth rate in Assam was 32.2 per 1,000 people in 1971, which was higher than the national average of 24.8 per 1,000 people. The death rate in Assam was 11.7 per 1,000 people in 1971, which was lower than the national average of 14.9 per 1,000 people. This meant that there were more births than deaths in Assam, which led to a natural increase in population.
In addition to the natural increase in population, there was also an influx of refugees from Bangladesh during the 1971-1981 decade. This was due to the Bangladesh Liberation War, which resulted in the displacement of millions of people. Many of these refugees fled to Assam, which further increased the population of the state.
The high population growth rate in Assam during the 1971-1981 decade had a number of consequences. One consequence was that it put a strain on the state’s resources, such as food, water, and housing. Another consequence was that it led to environmental degradation, as the state’s forests were cleared to make way for new settlements. The high population growth rate also contributed to social unrest, as there was competition for scarce resources.
The high population growth rate in Assam has been a major challenge for the state government. The government has taken a number of measures to address this challenge, such as promoting family planning and providing education and employment opportunities to the people of Assam. However, the challenge of population growth remains a major one for the state.