KATHMANDU: The Department of Mines and Geology and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Monday signed an agreement regarding an integrated research on earthquake and disaster mitigation in Nepal.

Department's Director General Rajendra Prasad Khanal and JICA chief representative Jun Sakuma signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides on the presence of Energy Minister Som Prasad Pandey.

The agreement will come into effect from April 1 and shall remain into force for the next five years.

The research will conduct a study for the identification of earthquake-triggering sources and their mapping.

Findings of the research will be made a part of school and university curriculum. It will be implemented in collaboration with the Tribhuvan University, Education Ministry and other government line agencies.