Approximately 58.6% of the country's land is affected by damaging earthquakes and designated as zone III, IV & V. The continuous movement of the Indian Plate towards the Eurasian Plate is the main cause of earthquakes along the Himalayan region, making the region more vulnerable to earthquakes of high magnitude. The Indian subcontinent has a significant history of devastating earthquakes, with notable events occurring between 1897 and 1950, including the Shillong (M8.7), Kangra (M8.6), Bihar–Nepal (M8.4), and Assam–Tibet (M8.6) earthquakes. From 1988 to 2015, India experienced numerous earthquakes that resulted in massive deaths and caused enormous damage to property, assets, and infrastructure. Earthquakes in India accounted for the largest share of disaster-caused life losses between 1986 and 2015, affecting more than 28.5 million people. The 1935 Quetta earthquake (M7.6) in Baluchistan (present-day Pakistan) caused the deaths of almost 50% of the population in the town of Quetta. Similarly, the 2001 Bhuj Earthquake (M7.9) caused extensive destruction, with 13,805 lives lost, 222,035 houses completely damaged, and 300 hospitals destroyed.

The growing destruction over the years from a wide range of natural and man-made hazards, particularly earthquakes, has become increasingly evident. This trend is driven by unplanned and haphazard construction, as well as the concentration of people and economic assets in hazard-prone areas. Consequently, it is critical to identify the challenges faced by states in managing earthquake risks and facilitate reflection on how best to address these issues. A concerted effort to develop and implement strategies that address the present and future challenges posed by systemic risks is essential.

In response to these increasing risks, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is organizing a 1-day technical workshop on ‘Earthquake Risk Reduction’ focused on the following objectives:

• (1) Identify and define India’s vulnerabilities to earthquakes and develop resilient, sustainable strategies for earthquake preparedness and mitigation.
• (2) Bring together subject experts, both National and International, practitioners, policymakers, academicians, and officials from 24 states and UTs lying in seismic zones IV and V for meaningful discussions on earthquake risk management strategies, focusing on assessing the current state of the country and challenges faced by states in earthquake preparedness and mitigation efforts.
• (3) Provide a comprehensive roadmap for bridging the gaps between knowledge of earthquake risk and risk reduction in earthquake risk assessment and implementing risk management strategies. By fostering collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders, India can build a safer, earthquake-resilient future.

The one-day workshop will provide a platform for in-depth exploration of the critical role preparedness and mitigation play in reducing earthquake risks. Through a series of insightful presentations and interactive discussions, the workshop will enhance our understanding of the following key areas:

• (1) Need for Strengthening and Investment in Earthquake Instrumentation.
• (2) Effectiveness of Earthquake Early Warning and Dissemination Systems for India.
• (3) Integration of Scientific Studies into Policy Implementation, such as Earthquake Microzonation and Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA).
• (4) Challenges in the Enforcement of Building Codes and By-laws, and solutions to this persistent problem.
• (5) Cost-Benefit Analysis of Retrofitting Methods: Feasibility for India.
• (6) Need for Developing Earthquake Risk Pool or Risk Insurance to safeguard communities.
• (7) Best Practices in Earthquake Preparedness and Mitigation: Lessons from India and Other Countries.