Two Long-Term Problems: Too Many People, Too Few Trees - Moti Nissani

The essay “Two Long-Term Problems: Too Many People, Too Few Trees” composed by Moti Nissani provides a brief introduction to the twin problems of over population and deforestation, specially in
Nepal’s context. Nissani discusses with examples and cases how the world is facing over population and how environmental degradation has impacted biosphere both in the short and long terms. This essay concerned about the causes, consequences and cures of two global issues over population and deforestation.
Nissani opines that, human beings have caused serious problems on the environment. This is because the number of people is growing at a quite fast rate i.e. number of birth is higher than number of death. Because of advances in nutrition, sanitation health, and age of reproduction is earlier than before. In 1951, Nepal’s population was 9 million. After a half century, the population grew up into 23 million, with the average Nepali women giving birth to five children. Nepal has 2.5% population growth per year, and if the same trend continuous then population will equal to the population of Mexica, USA, and Canada in 140 years. All that means, population is growing in alarming rate.
The effects of over population and deforestation are both short and long term. Nissani argue that, we should make a fundamental change not cosmetic change. Such like; developmental program should be sustainable and environment friendly, re-forestation plan project should be massive. Importantly, education, job opportunity should be aviable for all, and more for women. Nissani suggested that, to decrease the over population, contraceptives device, family planning should be used properly and birth spaces should be applied. There are some countries like China, Thailand and Egypt which have effective government policy to bring changes and successfully work out.
Similarly, Nissani requested us to use smokeless Chulo which can helps to reduce deforestation.

Nissani talks on the views of world scientist’s, and it is urgent that we should act with wisdom, courage, and compassion both individually and as a group.                                                                                                                                                                                      Intellectual Property of Binisha Ghalan