NESAC warns NE states to maintain eco balance

Aizawl, Oct 31: North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) today warned the NE states to maintain ecological balance and predicted a major natural catastrophe in the region which can hit any moment in any form.

Reviewing the disaster preparedness in the region, NESAC Director K C Bhattacharjee said, ''We should carefully take steps to stop loss of properties and humanlives caused by landslides, flash floods and earthquakes.

Growing trend of forest encroachment, poor planning, population explosion, contamination of ground water and harnessing minerals are posing serious threat to the region, which increase the risk of earthquake, Mr Bhattacharjee told UNI.

Mr Bhattacharjee said that North Eastern Council (NEC) has taken initiative to set up a network of V-Sat to collect and disseminate information about natural calamity including tremor in all eight states of the NE including Sikkim.

Meanwhile, altogether 11 telemedicine units with transferable V-Sats are working in the region while NESAC is working on a plan to start 20 more units to tackle the possible natural disaster.

Moreover, NESAC is preparing a plan for hazard prone areas of the region.

UNI