contributed responsible for the
extensive damages caused by
disasters. For example it is often
said that “earthquakes do not
kill, but buildings do”. In spite
of this, our adherence to norms in
the case of buildings in seismic
zone-IV and V has been quite
poor. In fact building collapse even
without an earthquake. Similarly
our compliance with fire safety
norms has also been found to be
awfully inadequate. While it is
necessary to strengthen inspections
and management by Government
agencies it is also important for
the citizens to be aware of the
danger and be responsible for some
of these activities. it is public
awareness and pressure which
brings in the desired results in
such situations. Our preparedness
regime needs strengthening both
at the Government level and
at the community level. In fact
community preparedness is still an
alien concept in the country. An
intensive campaign to strengthen
community preparedness will have
to be undertaken.
Our traditional response in any
disaster has been one of rescue
and relief with a series of quick
but adhoc actions. Rescue and
relief cannot remain adhoc actions
but have to be systematic and well
planned. This will require proper
planning and standard operating
procedures for all eventualities
that could be foreseen with clear
responsibilities for each of the
functionaries who are expected
to deliver in such a situation. If
effective systems could be put in
place at the National, State, District,
Municipality and Panchayat levels,
many lives can be saved and the
economic damage reduced.
Post disaster rehabilitation and
reconstruction is an important
activity, though not discussed
here.
The important message,
therefore, is that all hazards need
not become disasters. With better
planning, preparedness awareness
and mitigation measures we can
significantly reduce the impact of
disasters for our people in the near
future.
Abbreviations
DM
– Disaster Management
HFA
– Hyogo Framework of Action
UNISDR – United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
HPC
– High Powered Committee
DRR
– Disaster Risk Reduction
RKVY
– Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
MGNREGS – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
PMGSY
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
IAY
– Indira Awas Yojana
RAY
– Rajiv Awas Yojana
JNNURM – Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
ICAR
– Indian Council of Agricultural Research
ICMR
– Indian Council Medical Research
CWC
- Central Water Commission
INCOIS
– Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
NRSC
- National Remote Sensing Centre
SOI
– Survey of India
IMD
- Indian Meteorological Department
GSI
– Geological Survey of India
q
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articles carried in the journal at the e-mail id [email protected]
10
YOJANA March 2012