Kohima | July 11 : Concern over the increasing growth rate of global population and its consequences, the need to adopt a population policy for state of Nagaland has been strongly viewed during the observance of World Population Day here today under the theme “ Small family-overall development” organized by Health & Family Welfare department. Subscribing that stabilizing population growth is an essential requirement for development of sustainable economy, Minister for Urban Development & Higher Education Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu suggested that a comprehensive state specific strategy toward attainment of the National Socio-Demographic Goals should be formulated and adopted by the state.
‘Stabilizing population growth is essential for development of sustainable economy’
Dr. Liezietsu said population stabilization is the key towards attaining the National Socio- Demographic Goals as envisaged in the National Population Policy 2008. Fearing that the population in India may derail all developmental progress if it is not tackled tactfully, the Minister asserted that the slower growth of population will certainly benefit all aspect of development, such as education, health, agriculture, urbanization, environment etc.
He further said that in order to stabilize the population or to lower the population growth, good health is required to enable the people to participate in gainful and productive activities which in turn would enhance the quality of life through improvement in productivity equitable access, human and social capital.
Sharing his view on population stabilization, MLA Dr. Nicky Kire, chairman, Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board asserted education is a must for effective stabilization and knowledge of population control. “Are the rural mass getting the basic knowledge of population control/stabilization?,” he questioned.
Touching on promotion of small family norms, Dr. Kire opined that the father being the head of the family should be well motivated so that he can act as a catalyst in planning a small family norm which will matter a lot in the long run if all married couples take the population control/ small family norm into serious consideration.
Additional Chief Secretary & Developmental Commissioner, Alemtemshi Jamir while talking on developmental perspective through stable population said, “The world’s population has significantly increased especially in the last 50 years mainly due to medical advancements and substantial increases in agricultural productivity.”
Stating that overpopulation and over consumption are two fundamental issues which needs to be discussed, he said overpopulation is a condition where an organism’s numbers exceed the carrying capacity of its habitats while overconsumption is a situation where resource-sue has outspaced the sustainable capacity of the eco systems. A prolonged pattern of overconsumption leads to inevitable environmental degradation and the eventual loss of resource bases. In the case of Nagaland, one important issue is correct population which is necessary for projecting our economic growth and development.
Stating that the annual growth rate of Nagaland is 246.88% or 4.9376%, he said “if we grow at this rate in the next 50 years, or by 2061, our population will be 44.42 lakhs and about 110.11 (eleven million) by 2100”. He said the first development issue is whether we have the carrying capacity for such kind of growth rate to our population and basic issues such as food, water, cultivation, education, healthcare and livelihood or employment opportunities.
The optimum population of Nagaland should be 30 lakhs of which 21 lakhs should be urban and 9 lakhs be rural, he opined.
Speaking on family perspective, Naga Mother’s Association (NMA) president Abei-ü Meru, was of the opinion that Naga society is strongly patriarchal, where women in rural areas have very little access to the services provided and most importantly, they have no reproductive rights.
“Unless the mindset of our society changes towards the rights of women and children and the resistance to male sterilization, population control which is expected to lead to substantial development cannot take place,” NMA chief said.
Drawing attention of the government to improve the various loopholes in health care delivery services, she continued that family and women’s access to reproductive health care services in rural areas is still a major concern. Terming the goals of National Population Policy as “impressive and with the right approach,” she was hopeful that such step would to lead to sustainable development in all spheres.
She also challenged the people to rededicate themselves for the uplifment of the poor, the women and children in the state, who are important part of the population and their health and access to basic facilities including reproductive and child heath care will ensure that development of the whole society.
Youth Net Nagaland Director, Hekani Jakhalu while speaking on youth perspective said that rapid population growth coupled with a youthful population pose serious challenges not only in health, education and employment, but also if the reproductive potential of the population is not controlled, it will further hamper efforts to improve the welfare of the people.
She also said that how India’s population would grow in the future depends largely on the hundred million plus people in the age group of 15-24 years.
The impact of these changes on socio-economic, political and environmental conditions largely depends upon the behavior of today’s youth, Jakhalu said and opined that equipping this critical segment of the population with positive human values, appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills, is considered essential to bring about a safe and viable future.
She continued that youth and adolescents should be made responsible and sensitized on population and health issue, adding meeting their needs for information and guidance regarding sexual and reproductive health behavior constitutes an important aspect of population and development programmes.
“Population in itself is not the problem. Lack of basic education and poor economic condition are. Clinics cannot solve the population problem. Population has remained a problem because education continues to be a problem,” she said. Further, she said that if good policies are framed and act responsibly, “ I am sure we are capable of transforming this huge young population into a boon rather than a bane.”
Sharing his view from the Church perspective, Eleutheros Christian Society, Tuensang director Dr. Chingmak Chang stressed on the need to focus on food security, social justice, development and governance.
He challenged the gathering to brush up their act basing on different perspectives in a wake of the increasing global population growth rate.
In his remark as moderator of business session, Dr. Kezevituo Keditsu, managing director, Putuonuo Nursing Home, Kohima asserted that the people reluctant to go for family planning during 80’s but with the various changes taking place in the 21st century be it economy, living standard etc. the people are now realizing the importance of smaller family which will guarantee overall development.
Earlier, Commissioner & Secretary for Health & Family Welfare Menukhol John delivered welcome address.
‘Stabilizing population growth is essential for development of sustainable economy’
Dr. Liezietsu said population stabilization is the key towards attaining the National Socio- Demographic Goals as envisaged in the National Population Policy 2008. Fearing that the population in India may derail all developmental progress if it is not tackled tactfully, the Minister asserted that the slower growth of population will certainly benefit all aspect of development, such as education, health, agriculture, urbanization, environment etc.
He further said that in order to stabilize the population or to lower the population growth, good health is required to enable the people to participate in gainful and productive activities which in turn would enhance the quality of life through improvement in productivity equitable access, human and social capital.
Sharing his view on population stabilization, MLA Dr. Nicky Kire, chairman, Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board asserted education is a must for effective stabilization and knowledge of population control. “Are the rural mass getting the basic knowledge of population control/stabilization?,” he questioned.
Touching on promotion of small family norms, Dr. Kire opined that the father being the head of the family should be well motivated so that he can act as a catalyst in planning a small family norm which will matter a lot in the long run if all married couples take the population control/ small family norm into serious consideration.
Additional Chief Secretary & Developmental Commissioner, Alemtemshi Jamir while talking on developmental perspective through stable population said, “The world’s population has significantly increased especially in the last 50 years mainly due to medical advancements and substantial increases in agricultural productivity.”
Stating that overpopulation and over consumption are two fundamental issues which needs to be discussed, he said overpopulation is a condition where an organism’s numbers exceed the carrying capacity of its habitats while overconsumption is a situation where resource-sue has outspaced the sustainable capacity of the eco systems. A prolonged pattern of overconsumption leads to inevitable environmental degradation and the eventual loss of resource bases. In the case of Nagaland, one important issue is correct population which is necessary for projecting our economic growth and development.
Stating that the annual growth rate of Nagaland is 246.88% or 4.9376%, he said “if we grow at this rate in the next 50 years, or by 2061, our population will be 44.42 lakhs and about 110.11 (eleven million) by 2100”. He said the first development issue is whether we have the carrying capacity for such kind of growth rate to our population and basic issues such as food, water, cultivation, education, healthcare and livelihood or employment opportunities.
The optimum population of Nagaland should be 30 lakhs of which 21 lakhs should be urban and 9 lakhs be rural, he opined.
Speaking on family perspective, Naga Mother’s Association (NMA) president Abei-ü Meru, was of the opinion that Naga society is strongly patriarchal, where women in rural areas have very little access to the services provided and most importantly, they have no reproductive rights.
“Unless the mindset of our society changes towards the rights of women and children and the resistance to male sterilization, population control which is expected to lead to substantial development cannot take place,” NMA chief said.
Drawing attention of the government to improve the various loopholes in health care delivery services, she continued that family and women’s access to reproductive health care services in rural areas is still a major concern. Terming the goals of National Population Policy as “impressive and with the right approach,” she was hopeful that such step would to lead to sustainable development in all spheres.
She also challenged the people to rededicate themselves for the uplifment of the poor, the women and children in the state, who are important part of the population and their health and access to basic facilities including reproductive and child heath care will ensure that development of the whole society.
Youth Net Nagaland Director, Hekani Jakhalu while speaking on youth perspective said that rapid population growth coupled with a youthful population pose serious challenges not only in health, education and employment, but also if the reproductive potential of the population is not controlled, it will further hamper efforts to improve the welfare of the people.
She also said that how India’s population would grow in the future depends largely on the hundred million plus people in the age group of 15-24 years.
The impact of these changes on socio-economic, political and environmental conditions largely depends upon the behavior of today’s youth, Jakhalu said and opined that equipping this critical segment of the population with positive human values, appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills, is considered essential to bring about a safe and viable future.
She continued that youth and adolescents should be made responsible and sensitized on population and health issue, adding meeting their needs for information and guidance regarding sexual and reproductive health behavior constitutes an important aspect of population and development programmes.
“Population in itself is not the problem. Lack of basic education and poor economic condition are. Clinics cannot solve the population problem. Population has remained a problem because education continues to be a problem,” she said. Further, she said that if good policies are framed and act responsibly, “ I am sure we are capable of transforming this huge young population into a boon rather than a bane.”
Sharing his view from the Church perspective, Eleutheros Christian Society, Tuensang director Dr. Chingmak Chang stressed on the need to focus on food security, social justice, development and governance.
He challenged the gathering to brush up their act basing on different perspectives in a wake of the increasing global population growth rate.
In his remark as moderator of business session, Dr. Kezevituo Keditsu, managing director, Putuonuo Nursing Home, Kohima asserted that the people reluctant to go for family planning during 80’s but with the various changes taking place in the 21st century be it economy, living standard etc. the people are now realizing the importance of smaller family which will guarantee overall development.
Earlier, Commissioner & Secretary for Health & Family Welfare Menukhol John delivered welcome address.
