Indo- Japanese workshop on landslides and disaster management begins at SMIMS

GANGTOK, 14 Feb: The second joint Indo-Japanese workshop on landslides and disaster management is being held in Sikkim from 14 to 18 February, 2012.  The workshop organized by National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India in coordination with Land Revenue and Disaster management, Government of Sikkim, focuses on the landslide and disaster scenario, problems, mitigation and rehabilitation which will be beneficial for understanding the post earthquake situation and planning for reconstruction strategy and would also be very important for future management as well.
The workshop was inaugurated today by the Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Karma Gyatso at the Auditorium of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Tadong, Gangtok.  The technical session will be held at the Forest Conference hall from tommorow which will be deliberated by the Japanese delegation along with the officials of NIDM and followed by the site visit by the delegates. It may be mentioned here that first such workshop was also held in the State on March 2010.
While addressing in the inaugural session, the Chief Secretary said that the Japanese delegates hail from such a country prone to disaster of similar kind which our state is prone to and have enormous experiences in dealing with such situation. With the occurrence of disastrous events in the past, this is the right time that the Japanese experts have come to hold such a workshop in our state. This workshop will come out with important chapter preparing for the future calamities, he added.
The Chief Secretary stated that Sikkim is located in eastern Himalayas which are young and fragile, vulnerable to any kind of calamities. The recent earthquake which created loss of life and property along with landslides which occured in various places of Sikkim and adjoining areas needs to be addressed. The concept of safe houses or the earthquake resistant houses are the need of an hour.
He also highlighted some of the solutions that were presented during the Chief Secretaries Conference where he was given the privilege of being the only Chief Secretary among the other 34 Chief Secretaries of various States / UTs to make a detailed presentation on Crisis Management and the Sikkim experience of handling the Rescue, Relief and Rehabilitation works in the aftermath of 18th Sept. 2012 Earthquake. This privilege was accorded to the Chief Secretary, Sikkim because of the fact that the Chief Minister and the State Government took immediate and prompt action to mitigate the sufferings of the people, he informed. Elaborating further, he added that the presentation was discussed  at length  and appreciation was made in handling  of situation and immediate action initiated by the State Government for the relief, rescue, re-construction and re-habilitation initiatives.
The Chief Secretary mentioned about the NH 31 A drainage system which needs to be seriously taken care of and stressed on the development of the state as it is the synonymous to civilization. Besides, he also stressed on the sensitization of people through Panchayats and local self government in earthquake and its safety measures.
Prof. Chandan Ghosh, Head Geo-hazard Division, NIDM in his address said that this workshop will discuss on future disasters and exchange ideas, problems. He stated that he and his team along with the Japanese delegation will be visiting landslides near Sikkim Supreme where retrofitting measures are being taken up. However, he also highlighted the 9th Mile sinking area where he stressed on the drainage control and added on the mobilization of local expertise.
IFS Secretary LRDMD,S.B.S. Bhadauria presented his welcome address while the vote of thanks was proposed by Prabhakar Rai, Deputy Secretary Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department.