Rapid population growth is having a profound effect on our environment. In most countries, especially in the least developed ones, physical resources are limited, and man to land ratio is high. Due to high population growth in these countries, natural resources are depleting as humans are consuming them for sustenance, and the rate is alarmingly high. Consequently, there has been a negative impact on the environment.

In Nepal, agricultural production has failed to keep pace with population growth; and as such, the trend of converting forests and pastures into arable land is increasing every year. Sadly, existing swathes of land are again being lost to rapid urbanisation, yet another result of population growth. This phenomenon has hugely disturbed the ecological balance.

Due to the excessive use of firewood, the area of forests is shrinking here rapidly every year, giving rise to frequent floods and soil erosion.

Such natural disasters not only cause a great loss of lives but also flush down about 245 million cubic centimetre of fertile soil to the foreign land every year.

In fact, plants and animals play a significant role in the maintenance of a healthy environment. However, this decreasing trend has a negative impact on the environment.

Due to growing population, on the one hand the problem of garbage disposal is increasing by the day. On the other, because of the poor drainage system, garbage passes through lanes and streets, polluting the environment.

Over the past few years, the number of vehicles and aircraft has greatly increased, easing the transport system in the country. But their exhausts have produced an unfair impact on the environment.

The burning of fossil fuels, which is increasing here rapidly, emits carbon dioxide, which absorbs the outgoing radiation from the earth and hence heats the atmosphere a lot. Apart from this, the increase in the number of brick kilns and factories has degraded the environment to a large extent.

Until now, endeavours for forests protection, afforestation and soil conservation and population reduction campaigns have been made at the official level. However, to check environmental degradation, efforts need to be started at the grass-roots level.

Since population and environment are interrelated, it is indispensable to maintain a balance between the two.