The Nagaland department of health and family welfare observed the World Population Dayby organizing a programme - Small Family Overall Development - at the State Academy Hall in Kohima on Monday.
The state's minister for urban development and higher education, Shürhozelie, who graced the occasion, said July 11 was observed annually as the World Population Day since 1989 to spread awareness on global population growth. The day was declared as the World Population Day after the world population reached five billion on July 11 in 1987.
The minister said that the United Nation had authorized the event as a vehicle to spread awareness on population issues as they have a huge impact on development and environment. Since then with the United Nations population funds encouragement, the government and non-government organizations, institutions and individuals organize various educational activities to celebrate this annual event.
Emphasizing on India's population, he said that India is the second most populous country in the world and also informed that in the last century, global population was increased by three times while the population of India was increased to five times. He further opined that the current trend of India's population would exceed China's population by 2030.
He said India's population account to about 17 per cent of the world population. The population explosion in the country may derail all development activities and progress if it is not tackled immediately. Slower growth of population will certainly benefit all aspect of development in education, health, agriculture, urbanization, and environment.
The minister also added that stabilizing population growth is an essential requirement for development of sustainable economy towards achieving the goal. He felt that an opportunity should be created to enable people to take up gainful and productive activities, which can improve the quality of life. tnn
Shürhozelie said development can only be sustainable by putting health at centre of social and political agenda and through meaningful involvement of community in planning, implementation and maintenance of population growth stabilization.
This year, the department of health and family welfare has changed the programme to observe the World Population Day by bringing in other citizens concerned to share their views involving all stakeholders rather than the over-dependence on the government, he added.
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