The Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA) in collaboration with GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Tata Trusts, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute and Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme organized a seminar on 'Learning form Nepal's Earthquake for Indian Himalayas and Gangetic Plains' at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi on 20th August, 2015. Experts from both Nepal and India stressed the need for mainstreaming disaster reduction into planning and the importance of concerted scientific efforts.

Dr. P. P. Dhyani, Director, GBPIHED, Almora, and Councilor, CHEA, Nainital, described the Himalayas as the water tower of the country in his welcome addresss. The rationale and main features of the event were elaborated on by Prof. S. P. Singh, INSA Senior Scientist, and Councilor, CHEA.

The Director General of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD),Dr. David Molden, gave a keynote address. He clarified that over 370 aftershocks shook Nepal and that these are continuing even now. He added that Kathmandu itself has shifted 3 metres south. Calling Hindu-Kush Himalayas a global asset, he reiterated the concept of 'build-back better', as a part of the Sendai Framework 2015. He suggested certain solutions for future preparedness including constructing earthquake-proof buildings, hazard mapping and identifying safe landing spots for helicopters in the rescue and relief stages.

The Chief Guest, Shri B. S. Koshiyari, Hon'ble Chairman, Committee on Petitions (LS) and Member of Parliament (LS) spoke of the need to need to develop the science of earthquake prediction and early warning systems for the seismically volatile areas of Hindu-Kush Himalayas.

Guest of Honour, Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal, Hon'ble Member, Planning Commission of Nepal, pointed out that comparatively more women and girls were killed in the Nepal earthquake. Social inequalities magnify earthquakes' impacts and, in this case, the earthquake damaged poor areas more. She spoke about the importance of context specific solutions that would be successful in Nepal. Prof. P.D. Pant, Hon'y Secretary, CHEA delivered the vote of thanks in the inaugural session.

In the technical session, experts covered various dimensions of the Nepal earthquake. Prof. A. K. Gupta, Director of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun, spoke about how shifts in disaster reduction should include social components, mainstreaming disaster reduction into planning, integration of Sendai Framework Sustainable Development Goals and a move to a multi-headed, comprehensive approach. Dr D. S. Ramesh, Director of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) added that the earthquake was not a surprise but occurred in a vulnerable region. It is possible that all previously ruptured regions could join together to create a huge earthquake of unprecedented magnitude, he stated.

Dr. Madan Koirala, in his presentation entitled 'Earthquake's impact on mountain ecology', highlighted the fate of Langtang National Park where tremors induced landslides & avalanches which impacted eight villages. Forests were destroyed and tourist areas were lost. Dr. Ranjan Kumar Dahal presented on the engineering geological consequences of the earthquake and noted that ridge towns such as Old Chatura, Almora, Ranikhet and Nainital arevery vulnerable to earthquakes damage.

Dr. Jagdish Lal Baidya gave an account of the fateful day in his hospital which withstood the earthquake. He stressed the need for plans to evacuate admitted patients, open spaces in and around the hospital and regular disaster and evacuation drills. Ms. Dikshya Devkota in her presentation 'Relief and recovery efforts of Gorkha Foundation after 2015 earthquake in Nepal: On the ground perspective' stressed the need for psychological first aid training for relief workers and local groups.

Mr. Dharani Ratno of Tata Trust spoke about their experience of relief work; they set up a centralised kitchen that caters for 17 relief camps, in collaboration with the Akshaya Patra Foundation and Sipradian Sansthan, a local NGO.

Mr. Prachandra Man Shrestha spoke about the impacts of the earthquake on tourism in Nepal. He said that the image of Nepal needs to be rebuilt positively and that tourism stakeholders ought to come together to act as one. Dr. Ajaya Dixit, ISET, Kathmandu, spoke of deficiency in design considerations and the ineffective regulatory mechanism, locating these issues within Nepal's political system.

The afternoon panel on 'Learning from Nepal's earthquake' was chaired by Mr. Hem Pande, Special Secretary, MoEF & CC and Dr. David Molden, DG, ICIMOD with Mr. Kamal Kishore, Advisor, NDMA as the discussant.

Dr. Bhishma Subedi, Executive Director of ASNAB, spoke on how community can play an important role if they are better prepared and equipped with practical information about emergency response. Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal in her presentation entitled 'Engendering Post Earthquake Response in Nepal' spoke of the need to mainstream gender issues into post-disaster needs assessment in the National Planning Commission.

Dr. Eklabya Sharma, Director of Programmes and Operations, ICIMOD, said that weather forecasting is key to relief efforts. He also said that information is often generated somewhere but does not reach key players. Dr. Vandana Chouhan of the All India Institution of Disaster Management, Gujarat, mentioned that long term recovery proposals should include local disaster management planning, awareness generation and climate change adaptation strategies.

Prof C. C. Pant, Geologist at Kumaun Univeristy, Nainital, said that Uttarakhand is very vulnerable to natural geological disasters but that there is no mechanism to fully forecast these risks. He further added that the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand has not suffered a great earthquake since 1803 and that this makes the area vulnerable to earthquakes. Dr. Sushil Kumar spoke of the need to improve earthquake sensing and monitoring equipment.

The participation of senior political leaders, administrators, academics, development professionals and media in the discussions and the active presence of researchers and university students underlines the importance of sharing learning from Nepal to better prepare the Indian Himalayas and Gangetic plains.