1. Background 

Nepal lies on an earthquake-prone zone formed and has suffered with large-scale earthquakes. In 1934, an earthquake of Magnitude 8.3 caused serious damage to 60% of the buildings in Kathmandu Valley. According to earthquake records, the return period of a large-scale earthquake is about 25 years in this area, and consequently, it is foreseeable that the next large-scale earthquake might occur shortly. 
 
Kathmandu Valley is in a delicate condition against earthquake disaster because of rapid population increase, unplanned development, and unconsolidated ground. Once a large-scale earthquake occurs, Kathmandu will suffer immense damage to human/property, resulting in inability to function as the capital of Nepal. It is foreseeable that the adverse influence of the earthquake will spread over Nepal, and cause long-term stagnation of its development. 

2. The Study 

In response to the request of His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMG), Government of Japan has decided to conduct the Study. 
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the official agency responsible for the implementation of technical cooperation programs of Government of Japan, undertakes the Study in close cooperation with the authorities concerned of HMG. 
 
The Study will be carried out for about 12 months, from the late of January 2001, divided into three phases as shown below.

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