Hamirpur in high-risk quake zone: Expert

Our Correspondent

Hamiprur, July 2

“Development in the district must be in accordance to advisories issued in the pretext of earthquake vulnerability of the region, since the district falls in Zone V of earthquake vulnerability”, said Annu Anand, head of the Centre for Media Studies (CMS) Advocacy, here on Sunday.

She was on her way to Delhi after completing three days state-level workshop for mediapersons in Dharmasala.

Anand said experts urged the government to make the state more climate resilient and media participation was important to sensitise masses on the hazards of climate change. She said the media workshop on climate change, with journalists and civil society members, discussed ways to bridge the existing gap between media, subject matter experts and government officials.

Anand said the experts had warned if the people did not adhere to the warnings of various government agencies with regards to geological and environmental activities, there would be life hazards which would further lead to disaster for human race. The government has given wide publicity earthquake vulnerability in seven districts that fall in Zone V (means regions highest vulnerable to earthquake) including Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu, Una, Solan and Sirmour.

She said the workshop was organised by CMS in partnership with the Department of Environment, Science and Technology and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), to build capacity of journalists at local and regional levels in the state.