Paul tells geologists to help identify quake-prone areas

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 6

Governor KK Paul has called upon geologists to help identify earthquake-prone areas in the hill state.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the 30th Himalayan-Karakoram-Tibet workshop at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology today.

The Governor said geologists should study landslides that follow earthquakes. It should be known whether the landslides are being caused by earthquakes, rainfall or other factors. He said lakhs of pilgrims visit the state every year and it was important to keep the routes clear of landslides. He said the Himalayas had great religious significance.

The Governor said there was a possibility of finding mineral resources in the state. He said such explorations were done during the British times but were left unfinished due to financial restraints. He said with advanced technology, this could be explored now. He said metals like copper might be found here.

He said experts should study geological changes caused by the construction of big dams in the hills. He said a survey was also required to know the effects of the diversion of the Brahmaputra river.

The Governor said mythology, literature, religions and culture of South Asia were linked to the Himalayas.

He further said the ill-effects of climatic changes in the Himalayas on Uttarakhand must be minimised. This was important for the implementation of social and economic schemes, he added. Earlier, the Governor planted saplings on the campus.

Prof Anil Kumar Gupta, Director, Wadia Institute, and Prof DC Srivastav of IIT-Roorkee also expressed their views.