Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment, Ecology and Disaster Mangement, Topic: Disaster Management, Issue: Strengthening Disaster resilience.
Context:
India, being a multi-hazard-prone country, faces recurring disasters like heatwaves, cyclones, and extreme rainfall events which needs multi-faceted approach.
Key Highlights:
Institutional Framework:
Key Agencies:
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) – Nodal ministry for disaster management.
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) – Policy formulation and coordination.
- National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) – Research, training, and capacity building.
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) – Response and rescue operations.
Guiding Principle: Prime Minister’s Ten Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction (2016) which focuses on risk mapping, early warning, community participation, and technology integration.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Approach: Earlier approach focused on post-disaster relief which is now expanded to prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and post-disaster reconstruction. As per the 15th Finance Commission (2021–26) Initiative, funds divided into:
- Preparedness & capacity building – 30%
- Mitigation – 20%
- Post-disaster response & reconstruction – 50%
Key Reforms:
- Transition from budget-based to program-based DRR.
- Priority areas:
- Integrating scientific concepts into planning.
- Avoiding duplication through inter-ministerial synergy.
- Strengthening Centre-State relationships.
- Promoting technology-led governance.
Capacity Building and Preparedness:
Community Volunteer Initiatives: Under the Apada Mitra & Yuva Apada Mitra, 2.5 lakh volunteers have been trained with a focus on local disaster response and resilience-building.
Institutional Strengthening:
- NIDM:
- Strengthened its mandate with new faculty-led, geo-spatial training labs.
- Developed a 36-hour standard course on disaster management for civil servants.
- NDRF & Civil Defence: Conduct multi-hazard mock exercises, awareness drives, and training at district levels.
Use of Science and Technology:
- Promotion of automated weather stations and remote sensing for site-specific hazard monitoring.
- Expansion of geo-spatial data networks for risk mapping and early warning.
- Development of the Common Alerting Protocol System, a multilingual alerts for citizens.
Nature-Based and Climate-Resilient Solutions:
- India prioritizes nature-based solutions through public finance and scientific collaboration.
- For example, under the National Cyclone Mitigation Programme (2021–22), ₹5,000 crore have been allocated to reduce coastal vulnerability across 8 states.
- Nature-based approaches include:
- Bio-engineering solutions for slope stabilization.
- Restoration of wetlands and urban green spaces to mitigate urban flooding.
- Rejuvenation of water bodies and fuel evacuation zones to prevent forest fires.
Post-Disaster Reconstruction: Focus on scientific damage assessment, resilience-based infrastructure, and climate adaptation.
International Cooperation:
- India leads the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) — a global partnership to enhance infrastructure resilience.
- Actively engages in DRR dialogues under G20, BIMSTEC, and IORA.
- Promotes South-South cooperation in disaster management.
Conclusion:
Multi-faceted approach is needed to strengthen disaster risk reduction (DRR), guided by the PM’s Ten Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction (2016) and institutional frameworks like NDMA and the Home Ministry (MHA). India’s disaster management approach needs to shift from reactive relief to proactive resilience.
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/indias-direction-for-disaster-resilience/article70128332.ece
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