High level meeting on DRM held

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, September 04: A high level meeting of the State Steering Committee under Disaster Risk Management (DRM) was held at the conference hall of Tashiling Secretariat here today.
The meeting, chaired by the Relief Commissioner cum Secretary of the State Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department RP Chingapa was conducted with the sole objective to evaluate the Disaster Risk Management activities in the State. The evaluation was done by the Project Manager, Aslam Perwaiz associated with Asian Disaster Preparedness Center based in Bangkok in Thailand.
Mr. Perwaiz and his team made extensive tour to Tingvong, Upper Dongu in North Sikkim and also visited the rural villages in Dalapchen and Perbing villages in East Sikkim. He also visited Manipal Institute of Technology at Mazitar, GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Pangthang.
The meeting also featured the screening of a documentary film and the release of an informative book (short play on disaster in English and Nepali) by Mr. Chingappa.
In his address, the Secretary said that it was rational to remain prepared to face and tackle any emergency situation. “Fire is one of the most essential energies till it was controlled, but when it becomes uncontrollable, it proves disastrous and fatal, therefore one should always avoid these kinds of difficulties and everyone should be aware and vigilant about it, Mr. Chingapa added.
The interactive session saw discussions on future action plan for implementation of the programme and policy of UNDP-DRM.
Representatives and senior officials representing the various line departments deliberated upon the need for optimal preparedness to tackle the situations during times of earthquakes, floods and landslides and fires any time.
The interactive session also emphasized that it was necessary that every citizen should be made aware and prepared to remain secure and vigilant during times of calamities.