Shimla, March 7 The Himachal Pradesh government is making sustained efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, improve early warning systems, and develop resilient infrastructure to cope with the increasing risks posed by climate change, said Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday.
He was speaking at the conclusion of a two-day State-Level Workshop on "Climate Change and Disaster Risk Resilience: Himalayan Future-Lessons, Gaps, and Policy Pathways for Himachal Pradesh," according to a statement.
The workshop featured thematic sessions on climate change adaptation, disaster risk assessment, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure in Himalayan regions.
In his speech, Negi highlighted the growing impact of climate change on Himalayan states, particularly on sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
Special Secretary Revenue D C Rana also spoke at the event and emphasized the need for stronger institutional preparedness, improved inter-departmental coordination, and scientific approaches to disaster risk reduction.
Experts from national and state institutions, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) in Roorkee, and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), delivered presentations on disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, hazard monitoring, and infrastructure safety in Himalayan regions.
Discussions focused on lessons from recent disasters in Himachal Pradesh, particularly the events of 2023 and 2025, and experts highlighted the importance of integrated risk assessment, resilient reconstruction, and improved preparedness, drawing on findings from Post Disaster Needs Assessments conducted in the state.
Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), K K Pant, emphasized the importance of scientific planning, institutional coordination, and community participation in building climate and disaster resilience in Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh.
This comes as the state government is set to mark April 4 as Disaster Awareness Day, commemorating the deadliest earthquake that rocked Kangra in 1905, claiming over 20,000 lives, officials said on Saturday.