Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that a proactive approach is needed to deal with the natural disasters. He was addressing the inaugural session of the sixth world Congress on disaster management at Graphic Era University on Tuesday.  Dhami said that Uttarakhand is very sensitive in terms of natural disasters. He opined that the loss to life and property can be reduced by following an integrated response towards the natural disaster. The CM said that since the challenge of natural disaster is faced by all the Himalayan States they should share their studies, research and experiences in this regard.

Welcoming the delegates, the CM said that in the spiritual journeys of Adi Guru Shankaracharya, Guru Nanak, Swami Vivekanand and Ravindra Nath Tagore the mention of Himalayas especially Uttarakhand is always found. He said that in view of the present global situation, the World Congress on disaster management is being held at a crucial juncture. The CM said that the State government is committed to confront disasters. He said that though natural disasters cannot be stopped, their effects can be minimised using better systems and strategies. He averred that a better management system to deal with the disasters can be set in place by a better coordination of ecology, economy and technology. He said that the conservation of nature in true sense can be achieved when there is a tendency of use and not misuse of natural resources in us. 

Dhami said that the primary objective of the convention is to discuss the challenges of climate change and disaster while focussing on Himalayan ecosystem and communities. He expressed confidence that a special message in the form of ‘Dehradun declaration’ will come out from the convention which will highlight the responsibility of human society towards nature and its importance in disaster management. Dhami added that the declaration will prove to be a milestone for the mountainous areas and the entire world in terms of disaster management.

 Dhami said that ‘Global Investors summit-2023’ is being organised in Dehradun on December 8 and 9 in which representatives of industry from the country and world will participate to give a boost to investment in the State.

He expressed confidence that the message of safe Uttarakhand will come out of the World Congress on disaster management which is being held days ahead of the Global Investors summit. 

The CM also released the book 'Resilient India: How Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed India's Disaster Management Model' on the occasion.

 The Secretary, Uttarakhand Disaster Management, Ranjt Kumar Sinha emphasized on the need for collective efforts to save the Earth. 

The Director General of Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), Durgesh Pant said that the representation of 51 countries in the event emphasises on  the seriousness of disaster management.  Noted environmentalist, Anil Joshi stressed the need for disaster-free development. He called for a review of scientific and system approaches to deal with incidents such as tunnel collapse in Silkyara, Uttarkashi. 

 More than 60 technical sessions will be organised during the four-day World Congress on disaster management that will culminate on December 1.