Natural disaster hampers development: Minister Gautam

Kathmandu - Irrigation Minister Sanjay Kumar Gautam has said a pace of development failed to gain momentum as per the expectation in the country due to natural disasters. 

Speaking at a worshop organised by Nepal Geological Society on the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Reduction here today, the Minister said, "Nepal lies in a risky zone in view of soil erosion, earthquake, landslide, flood and avalanche and to carry out development activities here remains always as a challenge." He stressed the need of maximum utilisation of resources available at home for its development. 

Also speaking on the occasion, National Reconstruction Authority executive officer Prof Dr Govinda Pokhrel opined for carrying out development works being based on a scientific method so as to minimize damages by national disaster and for promoting the establishment of integrated settlement. 

President- Chure Tarai Madhesh Conservation Board chair Birendra Yadav expressed his concern over the allocation of minimum budget for the development of the Chure, the region lagging behind the most in terms of development in the country. 

Society vice president Dr Ganesh Nath Tripathi said deforestation in the hilly areas and desertification of fertile land in the Terai posed a grave threat of catastrophe from natural disaster in the days ahead and the State's timely intervention to avert such risk was essential.