Kathmandu, June 29: The Ministry of Population and Environment organised a two-day national seminar on partnership of governmental bodies and the mass communications media in transmission of information on population here today.

Inaugurating the seminar, Minister of State for Population and Environment Shivaraj Joshi expressed confidence that transmission of information by the communications media as per the necessity, interest and educational level of the readers, listners and viewers would help enhance general knowledge and bring changes in traditional thinking.

He also pointed out the need for mutual partnership between the government, private sector, civic society and the communications media in order to bring to reality the fertility rate as envisaged in the Ninth Plan, increase attraction towards smaller families and help alleviate poverty.

From the chair, National Planning Commission (NPC) member Dr Jagdish Chandra Pokherel expressed the view that the problem faced by the nation can be solved through partnership between government, civic society and various class and groups of the society.

Secretary at the Ministry of Population and Environment Dr. Govinda Raj Bhatta said as upliftment of standard of living of the people is possible only through population management and physical development a long-term plan should be formulated in this regard.

President of Editors’ Society Govinda Biyogi, joint secretary at the Ministry of Population and Environment Ananta Raj Pandey, senior journalist Tara Baral and other speakers also expressed their views.

Around 30 persons including mediapersons from the government and private sector, and senior employees of the Ministry of Population and Environment are taking part in the seminar.