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Seminar on Himalayan sedimentary basins

Staff Correspondent

Scientists urged to devise a way to predict earthquakes

DEHRA DUN: A three-day national seminar on "Sedimentary Basins of the Himalaya: Challenges for the Future" got under way at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) here on Wednesday with the Uttaranchal Chief Secretary, M. Ramachandran calling for a closer interaction among scientists, planners and the users so that nature-friendly need-based development schemes could be ushered in.

Ecological challenge

"We often face ecological challenges after hurriedly setting up a development project or road. Uttaranchal is a fragile area and every input from scientific institutions is welcome," Mr Ramachandran said, hoping that the large number of eminent scientists present would spare time to understand the development process in the State and its impact on the ecology and apprise the Government of better ways to do things or avoid a disaster.

WIHG Director Baldev Raj Arora said recent natural calamities like earthquakes, tsunami, landslides and flash floods had made the job of scientists even more challenging.

"Humanity is looking up to you for solutions and you should try to innovate need based low cost solutions," he said.

Dr Arora also wanted the scientists to work overtime to devise a way to predict earthquakes. The seminar is being organised as part of the 22nd Convention of the Indian Association of Sedimentologists. Over 100 scientists, mostly sedimentologists, will be presenting papers and holding brainstorming sessions over the next three days, according to Sumit K. Ghosh, convenor of the programme.

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Seminar on Himalayan sedimentary basins

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