Kathmandu, Jan 20: The population of nepal is expected to reach 32,000,000 in the next 20 years if the present growth rate continues.

The annual population growth rate in Nepal is 2.37 percent and the population is expected to double in the next 33 years.

This information was given at a three day workshop seminar on long term action plan on population management organised here today by the Ministry of Population and Environment.

At present the population of Nepal has reached 22,400,000, and the reproductive growth rate is 4.35 whereas the child mortality rate is 65 in every thousand living births.

The HMG has a target of keeping the reproductive rate at 2.1 in 20 years.

Inaugurating the seminar, Minister of State for Population and Environment Bhakta Bahadur Balayar said there is a need for a national thinking for moving the country on the right path by preparing a long term policy for controlling population in Nepal.

From the chair, secretary at the Ministry of Population and environment Dr. Govinda Raj Bhatta said the prime responsibility of the state and the government is not only to control the population but also to mobilise them for the fulfillment of their basic needs.

Shedding light on the programmes, joint secretary at the Ministry of Population and Environment Ananta Raj Pandey said the seminar was organised with the realisation of a clear need for a long term plan on population as per the target of reducing the reproductive growth rate in displacement level within the next 20 years or the end of the 12th five year plan.

Also speaking on the occasion was under-secretary at the Ministry of Population and Environment Upendra Adhikari.

Altogether 50 individuals including high ranking officials of His Majesty’s Government, population experts and journalists have been taking part in the seminar.