In order to save villages in the state from disaster, it is vital to further increase greenery, conserve the rainwater and traditional farming practices. Apart from this, stressing on the involvement of local public representatives in disaster management related issues can also help prepare a refined model of disaster management, said chief minister Harish Rawat. He said this at the state level disaster workshop organised by the disaster management department at the chief minister’s residence on Cantt Road here on Monday.
Addressing the gathering at the state-level seminar, the chief minister stressed on the involvement of local public representatives in disaster management, which he said could help in the development of a refined system. He said, “If the villages are to be saved from disaster, we need to increase the greenery, ensure the conservation of rainwater and abet traditional agriculture. In the past years, a considerable improvement has been achieved in the capacity building in disaster management. While the Government of India has the National Disaster Response Force, we also have the State Disaster Response Force. There is also a need for develop a corps of volunteers for disaster management,” said the chief minister.
Rawat further said that the state has become more efficient in its response, which is the reason for the number of tourists visiting the state has once again risen to the level it was in 2012. In addition to this, the Kanwar Yatra has also been organised by the state successfully without blocking the national highway. Further, there was no major mishap during the Ardha Kumbh and the Char Dham Yatra which has provided a fillip to our level of confidence as a state. More than 15 lakh devotees have visited Uttarakhand to undertake the Char Dham Yatra this time,” added the CM.
Regarding aspects of disaster mitigation like the revival of traditional farming, the chief minister stressed that the farm lands need to be tilled as this will enable the rain water to percolate underground which will also help maintain moisture in the soil. The drainage system in villages will also have to be improved, he said. “Now, we need to emerge out of the major disasters like the Kedarnath disaster and start planning at the micro level,” opined the chief minister. Addressing the Gram Pradhans attending the workshop, the chief minister appealed them to focus increasingly on conservation of water, plantation of Bhimal and Rambas among other aspects.
The State Disaster Management minister Rajendra Bhandari said that Panchayati Raj institutions, local bodies and local communities at the village level have an important role to play in disaster management. In almost all of the disaster incidents, it is the local community present at the site which has to act as the first responder, he said. “On its part, the disaster management department has prepared an assessment of seismic risk for towns including Mussoorie, Nainital and Bageshwar after which similar seismic risk assessments are being prepared for seven towns including Dehradun and Haridwar. This will prove helpful in mitigating the damage in case of earthquake,” said the minister