Home Minister Lekhak warns against inviting disaster by damaging nature

LALITPUR: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has emphasized that we must not invite risk by damaging nature.

Speaking at the Lalitpur Metropolitan City Resilience Fair, organized by Lalitpur Metropolis at Patan Durbar Square on the 10th anniversary of the Gorkha earthquake, Minister Lekhak recalled the devastating disaster and the loss of lives and property it caused. He stressed the importance of taking precautions to reduce the risks of future disasters, particularly earthquakes.

“Our physical infrastructure must be strong. We need to protect nature and prepare ourselves to mitigate future risks, remembering the pain and loss we faced in the past,” he said.

Minister Lekhak praised Lalitpur Metropolis for its exemplary work in post-disaster reconstruction, search, rescue, and relief efforts.

“We received significant support from donor agencies during the reconstruction. While we can predict landslides and floods, we cannot predict earthquakes. Therefore, we must remain prepared, as an earthquake could strike at any time,” he added.

The Minister also acknowledged the critical role of the media in disaster management.

Lalitpur Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan claimed that the city has become a model for disaster management.

“We have equipped ourselves with all the necessary tools for disaster response. The metropolis can provide assistance within four minutes of any disaster,” he said.

Maharjan also highlighted the reconstruction of many temples in Patan Durbar Square, which were severely damaged by the earthquake.

Senior Vice President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Hara Shohei, emphasized the need for preparation and unity to ensure a rapid response during disasters. He reiterated Japan’s commitment to continue supporting Nepal and its people.

“Given the similar geographical conditions of Nepal and Japan, it is essential to strengthen physical infrastructure to make it earthquake-resilient,” said Shohei.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Maeda Toru, thanked Lalitpur Metropolis for organizing the program and raising awareness about disaster preparedness by addressing past weaknesses. He stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and Japan.

Lalitpur Deputy Mayor Anjali Shakya Bajracharya said the event was organized to reaffirm the city’s commitment to respecting nature’s rules and spreading the message of vigilance.