To strengthen the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), a two-day meeting was held at Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, Shimla on Monday with the focus on pre-disaster preparedness.
Dev Dutt Sharma, Special Secretary, Disaster Management presided over the meeting with various departments which was joined by PG Dhar Chakrabarti Consultant UNDP. The meeting was regarding the revision and updation of State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) and preparation of template of Disaster Management Plans of line departments.
Sharma said there has been a paradigm shift in Disaster Management, a distinct move from the earlier approach of post disaster relief, it was now time to adopt a pre- disaster preparedness, mitigation and risk reduction approach. He said that for sustainable development, efforts must be made comprising of disaster preparedness, response recovery and reconstruction.
He said the state government has selected 30 departments for preparation of Disaster Management Plan and the State was committed to mainstream Detailed Project Report (DPR) into process of development planning at all levels for sustainable development. Sharma said keeping in view the disaster, a comprehensive risk assessment and management plan has been prepared. He said that a vulnerability analysis of disaster and risk management of different parts of the State was also being done.
Chakrabarti gave a presentation on review and revision in SDMP. He emphasized on the importance of prevention, preparedness and mitigation measures. He said that it was vital to demarcate the role and responsibilities of the line departments and added that broadening of knowledge and understanding of disaster management was also necessary. He said that the Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Plan would be revised as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2015-30.
Nodal Officers and senior officers of the various departments were also present in the meeting.