IDDR-Day 2018 Organized

Venue: Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Nepal
Date: October 13, 2018 (27 Ashoj, 2075)
Organizer: Nepal Geological Society

The Nepal Geological Society (NGS) has organized one-day symposium to observe the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) on October 13, 2018 (Saturday, 27 Ashwin, 2075) at the conference hall of Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap, Katmandu. The one-day symposium was organized upon the call from Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal in collaboration with UNDP Nepal, Department of Water Resource and Irrigation and National Society for Earthquake Technology along with several other associated partners (Nineteen governmental and non-governmental organizations). The program was financially supported by UNDP Nepal, Department of Water Resource and Irrigation and National Society for Earthquake Technology along with the relevant presentations. Honorable Home Minister of Nepal Government Mr. Ram Bahadur Thapa inaugurated the program as the chief guest. The NGS has been observing IDDR Day regularly each year by organizing different programs. This year, the society organized a one-day symposium with ten presentations on related theme (Theme of IDDR 2018 is THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (SDGS): REDUCING THE ECONOMIC LOSS OF DISASTERS ‘’???? ????? ??????????? ????? ?????, ?????? ????? ?????”).

The geological hazards (earthquake, landslide, flood etc) are the major challenges to the national development and poverty alleviation in Nepal. Therefore, Nepal Geological Society initiated the advocacy in the area that included awareness campaign through the regular celebration of the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction (UN/IDNDR) since 1990s. After the establishment of UNISDR (United Nation International Strategy for Disaster Reduction), the society has carried out its activities in line with the UNISDR aims of building disaster resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction for reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters. The activities of NGS towards disaster prevention was acknowledged by UN Humanitarian and Emergency Relief Coordination office of IDNDR Secretariat in Geneva, by awarding UN-Sasakawa Disaster Prevention Award in 1998 for its efforts in disseminating the scientific knowledge and spreading the awareness to the general public, concerned authority as well as to the stakeholders to prevent the natural disaster. The society is committed to advocate for disaster risk reduction and mitigation activities in the country.

The Symposium was divided into Inaugural and technical sessions. Dr. Kabi Raj Paudyal, President of the NGS chaired the Inaugural session and delivered the welcome speech. Chief Guest, Honorable Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Ram Bahadur Thapa inaugurated the program by lightening the lamp. Mr. Churna Bahadur Wali, Convener of the IDDR Day Organizing Committee highlighted the program. Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairman, DPNet, Nepal; Mr. Bijay Singh, Assistant Country Director, UNDP Nepal; Mr. Birendra Yadav, Chairman, President Chure-Tarai Madhesh Conservation Development Board; Mr. Kalanidhi Devkota, Executive Director, Municipal Association of Nepal; Mr. Sushil Gyewali, Chief Executive Officier, National Reconstruction Authority; and Mr. Prem Kumar Rai, Secretray, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal delivered their speech as the guest of the program. Honorable Minister Mr. Ram Bahadur Thapa mentioned the threat of different natural disasters in Nepal and government’s activities to minimize these disasters. He also mentioned there is an urgent need to unite all the stakeholders with the government to overcome these problems. At the end of the session, Dr. Ganesh Nath Tripathi, Vice President of the NGS extended concluding remarks and vote of thanks. The program was conducted by Dr. Kamala Kant Acharya, General Secretary of the NGS.

Head and/or representatives from all associated organizations, Government officials, members of the Nepal Geological Society, media persons from different media houses and students from different disciplines have actively participated in the program. Altogether 220 participants were present both in the inaugural and technical session.
Following the inaugural session two technical sessions were conducted. The first Technical session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Tara Nidhi Bhattarai and Dr. Ashok Sigdel and Ms. Sunu Dawadi served as rapporteurs. Five technical papers were presented in this session. The second technical session was chaired by Mr. Samjwal Ratna Bajracharya and Mr. Bharat Bhandari and Ms. Sabina Khatri served as rapporteurs. Five technical papers were presented in this session with lively discussions and comments on each presentation.

The one-day symposium was organized in association with the following organizations:
S.N. Organizations
1 Department of Mines and Geology
2 Tribhuvan University
3 President Chure Terai Madhesh Conservation and Development Board
4 Nepal Electricity Authority
5 Nepal Tourism Board
6 Nepal Red-Cross Society
7 DiMANN
8 Association of International NGOs
9 Task Group of Disaster Management
10 ICIMOD
11 Stratigraphic Association of Nepal
12 Nepal Hydrogeological Association
13 National Reconstruction Authority
14 Municipal Association of Nepal
15 CBM International
16 Save the Children
17 Kathmandu Metropolitan City
18 Lalitpur Metropolitan City
19 Bhaktapur Sub-Metropolian City

For IDDR one-day Symposium-2018 Program Click Here

For Abstract of Presenation of IDDR-Day 2018 Program Click Here