Attain zero population growth for survival

Photo: Prito Reza / Driknews

Bangladesh may be well compared to a boat which is overburdened with passengers far beyond its capacity. A population of 160 million is virtually huddled up in a country having a land surface of 143998 sq. km., man-land ratio being less than 2 decimals per head! Population growth rate is still 1.4%! This ever-increasing population is causing unimaginable harm to ecology as well as our social life. Cultivable land is shrinking, forestry is dwindling, water is becoming scarce and polluted. Our country is trapped in a vicious circle of problems like acute poverty, unemployment, food shortage, inadequate housing and sanitation, widespread diseases and social unrest.
Time is running out fast! The government must identify and recognise overpopulation as the number one problem. A separate family planning ministry has to take charge of implementing a comprehensive population policy having a time frame for achieving zero growth rate. Time-bound phase-wise programmes have to be completed at any cost to reach the goal. Then only, our sinking boat will rise above water and start floating!