Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 746/05

STATE LELVEL SENSITIZATION PROGRAMME ON EARTHQUAKE VULNERABILITY REDUCTION

Meghalaya lies in zone five of the seismic map, making the State highly susceptible to earthquakes. In response to the need for preparedness and minimizing destruction to life and property due to earthquakes, a State Level Sensitization Programme on Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction was held today, at the Conference Hall of the Main Secretariat building, Shillong.

The inaugural function held before the programme was graced by the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Donkupar Roy who also presided over the function, Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Mr. M. M. Danggo, Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. P. J. Bazeley, Meghalaya Commissioner and Secretary, Revenue Department etc, Mr, W. M. S. Pariat, MLAs and senior officers.

Delivering the inaugural address, Mr. M. M. Danggo drew attention to the damages caused to life and property in the recent earthquake which hit Pakistan and some parts of Kashmir. While stating that Meghalaya may be endowed by the gifts of nature, Mr. Danggo quickly pointed out that apart from the threat of earthquakes, many parts of the State were also susceptible to natural disasters caused due to incessant rains, hailstorms, failure of agricultural and horticultural crops etc. Therefore, he stressed on the importance of people’s participation in all disaster management programmes and at the same time called upon legislatures and government functionaries to ensure that relevant information in this regard, also percolates down to the grassroots level.

Adding his views on the subject, Dr. Don Kupar Roy said that earthquakes have no political boundaries and are a huge set back to economic development wherein it is always the poorest section of society who are the worst affected. While lauding the State Government for having taken initial steps to deal with earthquake threats, he felt that to ensure success of the programmes initiated, there is a need for cooperation between the Government, NGOs, media, teachers, village heads etc.

Earlier, Mr. P. J. Bazeley drew focus to the threats posed by the growing numbers of unplanned high rise construction scenario in the State. Stressing on the fragility of crowded and unplanned habitation, he emphasized on the importance of sensitizing the masses to take necessary precautionary measure to minimize damages as and when an earthquake occurs. Recalling the great earthquake of 1897, Mr. Bazeley said that there are many lessons to be learnt.

Meghalaya Commissioner and Secretary, Revenue Department etc, Mr. W. M. S. Pariat informed the gathering that the State Disaster Management Programme was launched by the Meghalaya Chief Minister almost two years ago and in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Programme has been implemented in the whole State. Different Committees have also been constituted at the State, District, Block and Village level. Apart from trainings and mock drills, leaflets on dos and don’ts during earthquakes have also been prepared and distributed. Talk shows on the issue have been organized through the Doordarshan Kendra and All India Radio, Shillong and also the study of Disaster Risk Management has been incorporated in the school curriculum.

Following the inaugural function, interactive sessions and slide presentations marked the rest of the programme wherein Dr. A. S. Arya, National Seismic Advisor, Government of India (GOI) gave a talk on Seismic Vulnerability of the Country and the State and Government of India Initiatives Towards Risk Reduction. Mr. Y. C. Joshi, Director General Geological Survey of India gave a talk on Landslide Hazard in the State and its Risk Reduction while Mr. Ankush Agarwal, Technical Officer, GOI-UNDP delivered a lecture on Effects of Hazards on Economy and Development and Role of Policy Makers in Disaster Management.