Kathmandu, January 15:

The National Society for Earthquake Technology -Nepal (NSET-N) today celebrated the 11th National Earthquake Safety Day with the slogan of ‘Safe Behaviour and Strong Residence: Increase Community’s Earthquake Resilience’.

Minister for Industry Asta Laxmi Shakya said she would urge the Constituent Assembly to approve development of Bhugol Park as an earthquake monument. “The government alone cannot check the risk of destruction from earthquake but help from every sector and precaution can minimise the impacts,” she added.

Nepal celebrates the National Earthquake Safety Day on January 15 to recall the devastative earthquake of 1934.

Narayan Gopal Malego, chief executive officer of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), said that building code must be made mandatory for all. “But the code is yet to be implemented well,” he added.

Amod Mani Dixit, general secretary and acting director of NSET-N, demanded formation of a disaster risk management authority to manage and minimise the natural disasters.

“Disaster Reduction Policy, which is awaiting cabinet nod, would be instrumental to minimise the risk of disasters if implemented sincerely,” he said. “Nepal is 11th vulnerable countries in the world in terms of risks of earthquakes. The houses built around 50 years ago are unmanaged and on the verge of collapse and they need to be restructured.”

Robert Piper, representative of UNDP, asked the government to approve the disaster reduction policy at the earliest. He said every family should have ‘earthquake plan’ to minimise the risks of earthquake. He also warned an earthquake of a high magnitude could push the country’s development further back. Gautam Dongol, representative of Bhugal Park Conservation Committee, said that land mafia and corrupt politicians were eyeing to capture the public land where valuable monuments are situated.