Having tried various plans and works recommended by different agencies-without much success-to tackle the chronic problem of landslides faced especially during the monsoon, the State Government has now turned to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which is already assisting the State in the Uttarakhand forest resources management project.
On Monday, the State signed a record of discussion (RD) on technical collaboration with JICA for natural disaster management project in forest areas of the State.
The technical collaboration project is aimed at capacity building in the State forest department and preparation of a comprehensive plan for slope disaster management in forest areas for timely mitigation of natural calamity impact.
According to officials, as per the deliberations, JICA has agreed to provide technical assistance related to management of the damage caused by natural calamities. Welcoming the development, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said that JICA-assisted works are already being undertaken in 750 Van Panchayats.
The State will now be able to receive important assistance in the field of landslide management in forest areas, he said. Referring to various sectors other than forest, CM said that there is considerable scope for such collaborative efforts on varied aspects like in the improvement of quality and skill development in Industrial Training Institute (ITI), polytechnic and engineering colleges, eco-tourism, urban development and
transportation along with the conservation and management of water.
Expressing his views on the occasion, the chief representative in JICA India office, Takema Sakamoto said that countries like India and Japan are natural allies of each other. Through this project, the intention is to facilitate a secured life for the local residents and help minimise the monetary damage sustained by the people. He expressed hope that the benefit of this project will also reach other Himalayan States in India.
Officials state that the project will enhance the capability of the forest department for technically more sound
planning and effective implementation towards redressal of the problem of land loss in the forest areas. It will also help in drafting a comprehensive action plan for tackling
‘naturally occurring’ landslides in the future. This technical collaboration programme will be implemented in coordination with JICA-assisted Uttarakhand forest resource management project underway, especially with tasks related to disaster mitigation.
Expert group from Japan will visit Uttarakhand and provide necessary assistance to the forest department in field
survey, planning and other aspects related to the task of mitigating land loss. Uttarakhand chief secretary Shatrughna Singh and other officials were also among those present on the occasion.