LALITPUR, SEPTEMBER 22
Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology Suresh Acharya has said it is necessary to be prepared to manage epidemics and natural disasters.
At a programme 'Role of science and technology in management of epidemic and natural disaster' organised by Nepal Academy of Science and Technology on the occasion of the weeklong programme of Science Day here today, Acharya said that preparedness would help minimise risk.
He pointed out that NAST should take the help of other scientists as well as technology to resolve such problems.
Similarly, Clinical Research Unit Coordinator of Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital Dr Sher Bahadur Pun said it was high time that scientists of the country did something on their own rather than looking up to foreign scientists. "It is necessary to move ahead taking science as a weapon for management of epidemic and natural disaster," he added.
Likewise, NAST Academician Professor Bishal Nath Upreti opined that NAST and concerned universities should optimise technology to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.
Upreti further said, "It is necessary to set up meteorological station in every local level and increase the number of scientists in NAST for management of epidemic and natural disaster."
Academician Professor Ramesh Kant Adhikari pointed out the need to form a group of scientists for emergency forecasting monitoring system, while Associate Academician Ranjan Dahal suggested moving ahead by correcting past mistakes in the epidemic and disaster management sector.
Chief scientific officer Kanti Shrestha advised all to consume foods containing Omega-3 and cook traditional Nepali foods in the kitchen to boost stamina in the fight against any possible pandemic in the future.
Senior scientist Ramchandra Poudel highlighted the need to conduct further research in pandemic and natural disaster management.
He stressed that the management of adequate laboratories would help cope with the adverse impacts of the pandemic.
Chief of Faculty of Technology Rabindra Prasad Dhakal said they were using waste in biochar and carrying out study and research about the probable opportunities in the field of small hydropower. "We are working to find ways to connect soil energy to the grid," he said. "The presence of micro plastic in the highlands has negative impact on drinking water and wind," he said, suggesting that, "The gravity of the issue needs to be addressed on time."
NAST Vice-chancellor Sunil Babu Shrestha stressed the need to introduce risk sensitive plan as well as climate change coping strategy in the high Himalayan region.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 23 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
