The Chinese Academy of Sciences said Tuesday that it has carried out an evaluation of the conditions of resources and the environment following the earthquake that shook southwest China last month.

The evaluation will lay a foundation for the formulation of a reconstruction plan for the quake-hit area, according to the academy.

A team of 60 scientists from within the academy was set up to assess water and land resources, the ecosystem, natural disaster risks, environmental status and economic development in the quake-hit area.

The evaluation will provide information on the size of population, the location of residential areas and the development of industries.

The assessments carried out by the academy after the 2008 earthquake in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, the 2010 earthquake in Yushu Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and the 2010 mudslide in Zhouqu County, Gansu Province, played important roles in the creation of reconstruction plans following the disasters, according to the academy.

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Lushan County in southwest China's Sichuan Province on April 20, leaving at least 196 dead and affected an estimated 2 million others.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)