Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam   

Concern over impact of population explosion on natural resources

Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

Tackling a serious issue: Teacher trainees participating in a World Population Day seminar in Udhagamandalam on Friday. —

Udhagamandalam: The growing population and its impact on the dwindling natural resources were noted with concern at a seminar organised under the aegis of the C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC) to mark the observance of World Population Day here on Friday.

In his inaugural address, the Field Director, CPREEC, M. Kumaravelu, pointed out that the population of the country had crossed the 102 crore mark (as per the last census) mainly due to the increase in birth rate and declining death rate.

Lamenting that the increasing population was having a telling effect on the natural resources, he said that protection of forests was becoming increasingly difficult. Owing to the population explosion, encroachments in forest areas were increasing and in many places forests were giving way to agricultural lands. The resultant pollution was aggravating problems relating to global warming. Citing an example, he said that the South-West Monsoon was conspicuous by its absence so far this year in this hill station. The survival of human beings was being threatened.

The Principal, Bethleham Teachers Training Institute, Sister Usha, presided. The secretary, Nilgiri Environment and Cultural Service Trust, Sivadas, the Curator, Government Museum, K. Murugavel and R. Kohmagan, a writer, also spoke. World Population Day was also observed by various other organisations, including the Public Awareness Association of Udhagamandalam.

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