KATHMANDU, AUGUST 28

A four-day national symposium on Nepal’s post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation concluded in Kathmandu today, claiming that Nepal’s experiences and learning had set an example for the world.

The new facts and knowledge gained through the research presented at the symposium by various experts helped understand that Nepal’s experience would add a new dimension in the post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation in the world, said Sushil Gyewali, chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction Authority, the symposium organiser.

“Research papers presented during the sessions have shown that reconstruction of private housing has moved ahead effectively due to the active participation of the local communities, old structures were strengthened with retrofitting technology. Rebuilding of historic monuments has helped revive age-old construction techniques and transfer knowledge to the new generation,” he said.

CEO Gyewali said though cement and steel structures technology had been discussed among those in the engineering field, it was now proved that traditional construction materials like wood, stone and chuna surki too could help build strong structures. Stating that the new building code formulated by the NRA was a new beginning in the construction sector, Gyewali expressed satisfaction that the communities were aware that the houses must be earthquake-resilient.

Secretary at the NRA Ramkrishna Sapkota said the papers presented during the symposium would help document the best practices, which would be useful to the next generation. NRA organised the virtual symposium to share its experiences in reconstruction.

A version of this article appears in e-paper on August 29, 2020, of The Himalayan Times.