HP population growth slow but ‘imbalance’ widens

In Hamirpur,Chief Minister Dhumal’s home district,the female sex ratio is at 836.But backward blocks and tribal districts have a better ratio with Pooh in Kinnaur district having 1,021; Banjar at 999; Spiti at 995; Nirmand at 994; Lahual at 987; and Mehla (Chamba) at 959.

The child mortality rate has also seen an upward trend with the figure going up to 45 in 2010 from 44 in 2000,as per a study by the state’s health department conducted under National Rural Health Mission.

At a World Population Day function here,where Dhumal was present,the health officials,however,tried to project that the state’s sex ratio had improved significantly during past few years and now stands at 974 (females) against 1000 males.

“Health and population indicators are best in the state. In year 1971,the total population of the State was 34.6 lakh,and population growth rate was 23.04 per cent. Now it’s 17.64 perc ent,” said Dhumal.

State’s birth rate was 37.3 per cent in 1971,which has come down to 17.2 per cent and death rate has come down to 7.2 per cent from 15.6 per cent. The fertility rate in Himachal was at 1.9 per cent while at national level it was 2.62 per cent.

In the poulation growth,tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti has set an example,where female sex ratio was 1017,highest in the country and a reverse growth rate of minum 5.10 as compared to 2001 census. Kinnaur has lowest growth rate of 7.61 and Hamirpur 10.8.

There are families in Himachal Pradesh who have adopted small family norm,Dhumal said.

He attributed one of the reason for female foeticide as erosion of moral and social values. He said social awakening,not legal tactics,could yield the desired outcome.