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Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today appealed to all stakeholders to creat awareness among the public on the need for population stabilization ahead of the 'World Population Day' to be celebrated across the world on July 11 next.
The chief minister specifically called upon all elected representatives - Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Zilla Parishad Members, Municipality Chairpersons and Members and Panchayat leaders - to actively observe the World Population Day in their respective jurisdictions and create mass awareness, a statement released by the CMO said.
"India's population has crossed 121 crores and the 2011 census shows an alarming addition of further 18 crores of population. India is the second most populous country in the world and at the current rate of growth, the population of India is expected to surpass that of China by the year 2028, " he said.
"It will be an uphill task on part of the government and the people to achieve the much cherished goal of stable population without generating mass awareness and active participation of all stakeholders especially the elected representatives and government agencies," Tuki said.
He said that reproductive choice is one of the most fundamental human rights and family planning, which helps freeing women from the incessant cycle of pregnancy, breast-feeding and childcare, is a critical element of reproductive health, women's empowerment and economic development.
Therefore, he said, family planning was an integral part of the Government's development agenda.
"Family planning can play a very effective role in the betterment of health of the mother and child, apart from population stabilization," the chief minister said.
World Population Day is annually observed on July 11 to reaffirm the human right to plan for a family among others, it said.
