Bhubaneswar: A two-day preparatory meeting of the second Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Disaster Management Exercise - 2020 to save cultural heritage during natural calamities began in Puri on Thursday.
The BIMSTEC team comprising representatives from seven member countries visited Ramchandi and Konark to assess the condition of the area where a mock drill will be conducted on February 20, 2020 by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The delegation examined the condition at Kushabhadra river estuary in Ramchandi and Sun Temple in Konark. During the visit, NDRF DG SN Pradhan informed the delegates about the condition of Puri coast during disaster. Besides, the delegates examined the currents by boating in Kushabhadra River.
“The objective of the preparatory meeting is to work out modalities for the main exercise scheduled for February 20 next year. The officials are examining the exercise sites. During the actual exercise, 16 to 20 representatives from all the member countries will come to the State,” said NDRF DG SN Pradhan.
“We should plan ahead of a disaster so that such heritage can be preserved during the tough time. The first attention we pay is how to save lives, but it is equally important to pay attention regarding how to preserve cultural heritage,” said a member of the delegation from Nepal.