Include population in the short list of priorities
Friday, 18 December 2009
Available projections about population growth of Bangladesh are indeed worrisome. It has, thus, been projected that the present Bangladesh population would be doubled to 280 million at its current rate of growth by 2080 and it would be 180 million as early as 2020. So, the challenge for this country in this area is a obvious one.
A new government has come to power. It should include population control in its short list of priorities, even though that solution to other nagging problems such as power or energy insufficiency seems to be more demanded in the short term.
The population problem is not immediately noted for the great harms it may cause in the longer term. But prudence requires that very effective steps are taken in this area -- starting immediately -- to get the benefits of the same in the longer run. Otherwise, the country will be confronted with an enormous challenge within only decades that would offset the gains made in various economic sectors.
Samiul Haque
Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
A new government has come to power. It should include population control in its short list of priorities, even though that solution to other nagging problems such as power or energy insufficiency seems to be more demanded in the short term.
The population problem is not immediately noted for the great harms it may cause in the longer term. But prudence requires that very effective steps are taken in this area -- starting immediately -- to get the benefits of the same in the longer run. Otherwise, the country will be confronted with an enormous challenge within only decades that would offset the gains made in various economic sectors.
Samiul Haque
Dhanmondi, Dhaka.