Kathmandu, Jan 3: The Department of Mines and Geology (DoMG) has carried out the geoengineering and environmental study of 22 cities across the country.    

The Department has been carrying out such a study of a single city every year with the objective of studying the geomorphology of the city and whether or not the place is appropriate to build the city.    

It has so far conducted this study of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Bhadrapur, Dharan, Janakpur, Birendranagar, Tulasipur, Dhangadhi, Bhairahawa, Tikapur, Sindhulimadhi, Hetauda, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Damauli, Bidur, Damak, Banepa and Narayanghat.    

The Department has been carrying out the geoengineering and environmental study of any one city in the country since 1996.    

DoMG Director-General Ram Prasad Ghimire said that the geoengineering and environmental study of the Gulariya town area in Bardiya will be carried out in the current fiscal year.    

"We have been giving our opinion and suggestions to the local level, the provincial government and the federal government regarding what kind of structures can be built in which area of the city after conducting the geoengineering and environmental study," he said.    

In this connection, the Department also conducts a study regarding which location of the city is at risk of flood, landslide and erosion and where it is appropriate to construct a school, hospital, dumping site, underground parking and other structures.    

The Department believes that such studies will also contribute to systematic urban development. Such studies will also help reduce disasters if the three tiers of government implement the Department's suggestions.