Vol. 14, Issue 83, March-aprIl 2014 `75 GeoGraphyandyou.com Em ■ A Development AnD environment mA Disasters Disaster Preparedness, Gender Preparedness, andDisaster Vulnerable Communities Coastal E rging P rging ■ Changing Landscapes of Disasters in India ofChanging Disasters Landscapes ■ Chemical Industry Safety in India Safety Industry Chemical E rs PE ctiv gAzine s E THE UTTARAKHAND FLOODS OF JUNE 2013 Source: Annual Global Climate and Deaths: 6748 Catastrophe Report: Impact Forecasting- 2013, Aon Benfield Losses: 1900 million USD Insured: 585 million USD

Is It tIme for catastrophe Insurance yet? GeoGraphy and you Vol. 14  Issue 83  March - aprIl 2014

People and vehicles wade through an inundated state road during the 2008 flooding of the Kosi.

Disasters: eMerGiNG perspectives 4 Changing Landscapes of 38 Disaster Preparedness, Disasters in India Gender and Vulnerable Coastal Janki Andharia and Prabhakar Jayaprakash Communities 10 Community Based Disaster Sulagna Chattopadhyay Management 44 Dhanushkodi: Angeli Qwatra and Nina Khanna A Disaster that Wiped out 16 Utilisation of Open Source India’s Geography Geospatial Technologies for D Mitra Disaster Preparedness Vinod Kumar Sharma, G Srinivasa Rao and G’nY First report V Bhanumurthy 50 The Tirumala Fire 53 india’s bee indusTry 20 Evaluating Catastrophe calls For aTTenTion 55 organic Farming in Insurance Vidarbha 58 KarnaTaKa bans mahyco seeds Alka Parikh 24 Chemical Industry Safety parliaMeNt watch in India 60 sTaTus oF disasTer managemenT Muzaffar Ahmad and Amit Tuteja in india 30 Liquefaction of Soil During Earthquakes Pijush Samui In BrIef 34 Mainstreaming CSR in 2 Editor’s note 3 Letters 14 Science and disaster mitigation Disaster Risk Reduction 15 Term power 29 Term power rating 48 Disasters in the Ranjana Mukhopadhyaya year that was

GeoGraphy and you . March - april 2014 . 1 Editor’s note

Vulnerability is a part of life, and this acceptance runs deep amongst the poverty ridden population of India.

Dear Readers In January this year, a score of letters, faxes and belonging to a far out southern state is ordained a emails were sent out from our office requesting full time vice chairman, only next to the country’s for success stories. Destination—state disaster prime minister; not to mention all the associated management authorities—every single one of pomp, the poor gentleman is torn between the them. And guess what, even after confirming duties of his state and that of NDMA. Do we have every communication, not one of them deigned no experts in this multi-crore nation who could it fit to contribute one. Two thoughts – perhaps lend more than partial support to steer the helm there weren’t any successful programmes in of disaster mitigation? the states, or they couldn’t care less. You see, This G’nY issue is about those aspects of disaster management is all about high profile disaster management that need a new focus, management, with the prime minister at the such as disaster insurance, disaster and national level and chief ministers at the state level, corporate social responsibility, geoinfomatics, but in reality it holds a low profile in the priority disaster preparedness and more importantly list. Life is cheap in India—a couple more here or calls for 30 per cent reservation for women in there, how does it matter —it is all ‘god’s wish’. disaster relief forces. The pivotal organisation of India, the much Happy Reading muscled National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), holds an abysmally low sense of responsibility. Adhoc-ism is the key. What could be more astounding that a sitting MLA Sulagna Chattopadhyay

2 . March - april 2014 .GeoGraphy and you Photo. Vinod M. [email protected] Letters For more details log on to our website www.geographyandyou.com

A Development AnD environment mAgAzine 75 ` .com

you - The work done in Vol 14, Issue 82, and The Jan-Feb 2014 Vol. 14, Issue 82, January-February 2014 GeoGraphy Jan-Feb 2014 G’nY is truly enlightening. The possibilities and GeoGraphy and you challenges at the ground level are well highlighted. You did miss editor out that there are voluntary provisions regarding functionaries SuLaGNa CHaTTOPaDHYaY and funds in Amendment 73 which results in failure of efficient legAl Advisor panchayats at the state level due to economic difficulties, but as KRISHNENDu DaTTa Women in the focus was on women, it was a well-rounded endeavour. Panchayat ■ Women panchayat leaders and micro finance ■ networking women in panchayat reseArch ■ a tale of two women —HarikrisHnan D, Thiruvananthapuram. SHaTaKSHI GaWaDE

cover PhotogrAPh FOREST FIRE, TIRuMaLa, aNDHRa PRaDESH. I teach the 6th and 7th grades. We will not only be closer to ground realities, reseArch credit follow the Central Board of Secondary but would also offer a viable alternative to LIGHTS (LEaRNING IN Education syllabus. I was wondering if predominantly male dominated leadership GEOGRaPHY, HuMaNITIES, TECHNOLOGY aND SCIENCE) G’nY could be made more accessible to at the centre stage. - a NOT-FOR-PROFIT young children. I am especially interested —sarasWati raJu, New Delhi. RESEaRCH FOuNDaTION in GIS. If a small do-it-yourself section is PhotogrAPhy PRaSaD inserted, it may become more relevant for I have been a keen reader of G’nY. young students. I request you to kindly work on an industry iris PublicAtion Pvt. ltd. —MoHana sHukla, New Delhi. special as there is little comprehensive REGISTERED OFFICE information on this sector. I have been 111/9, aRuNa aSaF aLI MaRG, KISHaNGaRH, The ‘Women in Panchayat’ researching on iron and steel and cement VaSaNT KuNj, NEW issue of G’nY was very relevant for India industry in India. I would appreciate if you DELHI-110070 at this juncture. I think many programmes could showcase their development and corresPondence/ editoriAl oFFice that the issue has highlighted need to highlight what India needs for the future. 1584, B-1, be strengthened further. I am a strong —JasWant kuMar, New Delhi. VaSaNT KuNj, NEW DELHI-110070 advocate of political reforms, and grass PHONE: root politics in India needs to change if we I visit your website on a daily basis. 011-26122789 FOR NEW SuBSCRIPTIONS, RENEWaLS, are to have meaningful leadership. But, you have not come out with any ENquIRIES —upenDra Moral, Assam. information regarding the celebrations to PLEaSE CONTaCT CIRCuLaTION MaNaGER be held on Earth Day, 22nd April or the E-MaIL: editor@ geographyandyou.com Kudos for a great Panchayat issue! World Environment Day, 5th June. Kindly Wonderful articles, keep up the good work. put our school on your list and provide us PLEaSE VISIT OuR SITE aT www.geographyandyou.com —satyen prasaD, New Delhi. the free material that you have been giving FOR FuRTHER INFORMaTION. for the last few years through LIGHTS, ©iris PublicAtion Pvt. ltd. I have been involved with gender your not-for-profit sister concern. aLL RIGHTS RESERVED studies for long now. Although emerging —rasHMi MeHra, Dehradun. THROuGHOuT THE WORLD. REPRODuCTION IN aNY dimensions of women in political leadership MaNNER, PaRT OR WHOLE, IS PROHIBITED. PRINTED, has not been my focus, it is well-known Reading your recent issue, I was PuBLISHED aND OWNED BY that at the national level there is a dearth reminded of an issue titled ‘Thus Ganga SuLaGNa CHaTTOPaDHYaY. of effective women leaders who hold Spoke’, one of the first G’nY issues. The Printed At significant positions. One way to deal publication has come a long way, but it is INDIa GRaPHIC SYSTEMS PVT. LTD. F-23, OKHLa with it is to support a new crop of leaders missing the fun aspect of learning. Can you INDuSTRIaL aREa, PHaSE-I, who emerge from the grass roots. They remedy that? —prasHant, Patna. NEW DELHI - 110020.

Published At IRIS PuBLICaTION PVT. Write Editorial Office: Geography and You, 1584, B-1, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070, Letters may be edited for clarity and length. Include LTD. GEOGRaPHY aND name, address and telephone. Phone 011-26122789, FAX 011-41775126, emAil [email protected], YOu DOES NOT TaKE aNY FAcebook http://goo.gl/eIeaH, linkedin http://in.linkedin.com/pub/geography-and-you/5a/b32/b24 Website www.geographyandyou.com. RESPONSIBILITY FOR RETuRNING uNSOLICITED The cost of the print copy of G’nY works out to be Rs 150, but keeping in mind the readers of G’nY, especially students, the price has been fixed at PuBLICaTION MaTERIaL. Rs 75. We request all to kindly promote G’nY. to contribute an article. Kindly send the abstract of your article in not more than 200 words to [email protected]. The abstract aLL DISPuTES aRE SuBjECTED TO will be reviewed by our guest panelists. Once selected we shall respond for the procurement of full article. The length of the final article may THE ExCLuSIVE juRISDICTION OF range from 1000 to 1500 words. Please also mention if you can contribute relevant high resolution photographs. The Editorial Advisor. COMPETENT COuRTS aND FORuMS IN DELHI/NEW DELHI ONLY. CORRIGENDuM: The Kudumbashree programme was inadvertently misspelt as Kudumshree on pages 27 and 45 of G’nY, issue 82, Women in Panchayat. The error is regretted.

GeoGraphy and you . March - april 2014 . 3 Disaster perspectives

The elephant corridor in Gudalur, Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu. Changing Landscapes of Disasters in India

With the global increase in frequency and intensity of disasters, the need to address diverse challenges in the field of disaster research and practice requires a perspective beyond the current hazard- centric one. The paper points to significance of structural, social, and political processes that define the relationship between communities, ecosystems and technologies in disaster research.

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 5 Story and Photos Janki Andharia and Prabhakar Jayaprakash

ocal risk landscapes are changing performance structures, sea walls or sea levees fast, with frequent and intense and other infrastructure developments. weather events, and societal and Environmental degradation, with deforesta- environmental stresses which are tion, desertification, loss of wetlands for industrial becoming increasingly uncertain growth, or loss of biodiversity due to mining or and unpredictable. As a result, plantations, undermines people’s coping capaci- many current approaches have ties and increases hazard potential. It is therefore only had a partial impact despite concerted efforts important to recognise that natural and social at development interventions. systems are connected in disaster science, govern- LAccording to the Centre for Research on the ment policies and disaster related interventions. Epidemiology of Disasters, Belgium, which main- “By their very constitution, disasters spring from tains a global database on disasters, the frequency the nexus where environment, technology and and intensity of disasters are on the rise. The Haiti society come together—the point where place, earthquake in 2010, the 2011 floods in Thailand, people and human construction of both the mate- hurricane Sandy in 2012, cyclone Haiyan in 2013 in rial and the non-material meet.” (A Oliver-Smith Philippines, Phailin in 2013 in Odisha, and the Ut- and S. Hoffman, 1999, ‘Angry earth: Disaster in tarakhand disaster in 2013, bring extreme weather anthropological perspective’, Routledge). The events in focus. The 2012 report of the Intergov- study of disasters therefore requires a more nu- ernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) anced approach, and the concept of vulnerability argues that extreme weather and climate events has assumed considerable significance in disaster interacting with exposed and vulnerable human discourse. It is a conceptual link that examines the and natural systems can lead to disasters. Disas- relationship between hazards, cultural practice, ters reflect the spatially diverse and temporally the context of people’s lived experiences, disasters, dynamic patterns of exposure and vulnerability. and development (J Andharia, 2009, ‘Vulnerabil- Settlement patterns, urbanization, and changes ity in disaster discourse: A conceptual review’, Tata in socio-economic conditions have all influenced Institute of Social Sciences, Working paper no. 8). observed trends in exposure and vulnerability. For Vulnerability is a multilayered social and environ- example, coasts, small islands, mega-deltas, and settlements on mountains are exposed and vul- nerable to climate extremes in both developed and developing countries, but with differences among Natural disasters: 1975-2011 regions and countries (IPCC, 2012). Globally, natural disasters claimed around The United Nations International Strategy for 100,000 lives in each of the years of 2003, 2004, Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) ‘Hygo frame- 2005, 2008 and 2010. work for action’, adopted in 2005 as a guiding framework on disaster reduction for the period 550 500 2005-2015, aims at “substantial reduction of dis- 450 aster losses, in lives and in the social, economic 400 and environmental assets of communities and 350 countries”. As a consequence of rising number 300 250 of disasters and the international attention they 200 receive, considerable policy work is seen in most 150 countries such as Bangladesh, Australia, and reported disasters of Number 100 South Africa and financial allocation for disaster 50 0 prevention and response is increasing. However 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 most of these funds are for engineering-based Year mitigation measures such as construction of high Source: emdat.be/natural-disasters-trends

6 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Landslide on the way to Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand.

mental space defined by the political, economic, Silent and invisible disasters and institutional capabilities of people in specific In disaster management policies and risk reduc- places and times. Hazard and vulnerability assess- tion strategies, the significance of structural, ment (HRVA) is increasingly being undertaken social, and political processes that define the re- from a regional and a geographic perspective. Al- lationship between communities, ecosystems and though scholars are conducting disaster risk and technologies are overlooked. This has resulted vulnerability index based studies, their internali- in many communities experiencing what may sation within policy framework remains weak in be labelled as silent or invisible disasters. While countries like India. droughts are acknowledged as slow onset disas- Further, the Disaster Management Act 2005 in ters, many communities suffer from impacts of India focuses mainly on catastrophes, mishaps, pollution or toxic wastes discharged mindlessly and calamities. Unwittingly, disasters are viewed in water bodies that irrigate fields or wells or the as cataclysmic events. Much work remains to be air that people breathe causing ill-health and even done on vulnerability to disasters—a reality that death. Slow arsenic poisoning and fluorosis, which confronts large sections of populations in India affects large populations who are forced to drink who experience everyday risks and struggles, contaminated water, rarely attract the attention which society accepts as ‘normal’. The disastrous of disaster researchers. The Bhopal Gas tragedy impact of policies, neglect of certain sections of and the Chernobyl nuclear disaster are also cases society or complacency of policy makers must in point. Similarly, malnutrition is an endemic also be recognised by new researches which seek condition for many women and children despite to influence disaster discourse. national growth.

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 7 The Alu Kurumba of the Kodamoola hamlet in Gudalur have lost their traditional rights and are now working as labourers in what was once their ancestral land.

8 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Social discrimination, dispossession of tradi- remain voiceless and marginalised, and in fact are tional rights over ecosystems that communities threatened with eviction. depended on for their survival, and the resultant These conditions illustrate the dominant de- denial of access to resources—all constitute silent velopment model promoted by the state which disasters from the perspective of communities is “strategic and tactical in promoting, licensing, experiencing them. For example, the Nicobari trib- and justifying certain interventions and practices, als of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands or the Alu delegitimising and excluding others” (J Crush, ed., Kurumba tribe, one of the six ‘Particularly vulner- 1995, ‘Power of development’, Routledge). Vulner- able tribal groups’ (PVTGs) of Nilgiri district, in able sections of society, such as tribals, dalits, Gudalur block find themselves struggling for their women, children and others, who experience such basic entitlements in modern India. The cumula- silent disasters, rarely receive the attention of dis- tive impact of past colonisation, deforestation, aster researchers or policy makers who typically lack of political determination to implement social engage with a ‘disaster focus’, chasing high impact policies (such as the Janmam Estates Act, 1969, and hazard events because of their visibility and avoid Forest Rights Act, 2006 in Gudalur) require disaster examining historical conditions that produce dis- researchers to pay attention to pre-existing social aster vulnerability through processes of systemic vulnerabilities within a geographic area. Further, marginalisation. the nature and form of development promoted by national policies themselves create inequalities and endnote privilege certain sections over others. Besides the conventional approach to studying Nilgiris is a reserve biosphere. The forest land rocks, solids and fault-lines for earthquakes, occupied by tea plantations constituted elephant and tracking weather patterns and conditions, corridors. The forest census of 1972 recorded there are multiple spaces in disaster study for eleven elephant paths in Gudalur and Mudumalai research, action and practice. There is a need to forest division. A study conducted by the Ooty move disaster discourse forward by emphasis- Government College, 2009, cited in the newspaper ing on structural and socio-political processes, ‘Dinamalar’, Ooty edition, 2012, highlighted that acknowledging and acting on differences between only one exists because of the electric fences laid geographies of physical terrains and of cultures, by the plantations. In addition, the Alu Kurumba and looking beyond the imposition of a technical- tribe trapped inside these plantations have lost reductionist framework. their traditional rights and are now working as Interestingly, the World Disasters Report pub- labourers in what was once their ancestral land lished by the International Federation of Red Cross (P Jayaprakash, 2013, ‘Events, Memories and and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Geneva rightly Archives: The land struggles of Betta Kurumbas of focuses on significant areas such as public health Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, India’, M Phil Thesis, Tata (2000), urban risk (2010), malnutrition (2011), Institute of Social Sciences). About 80,000 acres of forced migration—people forcibly displaced by forest land in Gudalur block were leased during the conflict, political upheaval, violence, disasters, British rule to the tea and coffee plantation owners climate change and development projects, whose for 99 years. After Independence, the government numbers are increasing inexorably each year of Tamil Nadu failed to resolve the issue and about (2012). These diverse themes help to provide global 52,000 acres of forest land remained under the attention to significant areas of disaster research control of plantation owners and small and large and practice. Disaster research requires integrat- encroachers although their lease had expired. ing different knowledge types and experiences to A long-standing legal and political battle over generate scientifically reliable, context-appropriate this forest land ensued and people’s livelihoods and socially robust risk reduction activities. dependent on wage work from plantations were affected. Forest rights committees have not been The authors are Professor and research scholar at the formed even nine years after the enactment of the Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management, Tata Forest Rights Act, 2005, and the Alu Kurumbas Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. [email protected]

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 9 Disaster perspectives

Community Based disaster management Story angeli Qwatra and nina Khanna

If the capacity of a community to face the perceived disasters is developed before the specialised responders arrive, many lives could be easily saved and infrastructural losses minimised.

ommunity is the first responder in low, people are poor and the community has more natural as well as human induced pressing priorities like eking out a living. It is thus disasters. The initial hours after a a challenge for the authorities and concerned disaster, especially the first ‘golden organisations to mobilise the community consist- hour’, are very crucial. Hence there ing of diverse individuals and groups. is a need to build the capacity of the community Cwhich can be especially difficult in developing cBdM approach: Community based disaster countries like India where education levels are management (CBDM) is a bottom-up approach

10 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you rehabilitate and reconstruct in the post-disaster period. This approach has become crucial due to the effects of global climate change, burgeoning population moving into more vulnerable regions and a heightened recognition of a need for greater linkages between top down government and community level responses. CBDM empowers the community to be proactive in disaster man- agement and creates a space for them to develop strategies on their own terms rather than waiting for already over stretched government machinery to hold their hands. cBdM in india: The Disaster Management Act 2005 was responsible for setting up the disaster management framework at the centre, state, district and local levels and envisaging a compre- hensive and multi-hazard preparedness approach to deal with disasters. Core emphasis was given to developing the capacity of communities. Even the national vision, as outlined in the National Disaster Management Policy issued by the Minis- try of Home Affairs in 2009, envisaging “to build a safe and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster and technology- driven strategy through a culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and efficient response, involving all stakeholders, especially the com- munity”, lays stress on building the capacity of the community. The national strategy envisages a multi-dimensional approach focusing on preven- tion, mitigation, preparedness (capacity building of National Disaster Response Force, state disaster response force, civil defence, National Cadet Corps, Nehru Yuva Kendras, etc) and CBDM Photo courtesy: Press Information Bureau, Bihar September 2008 (including public awareness, mock exercises, etc.) during the pre-disaster phase. The post disaster CBDM empowers the community to be phase is characterised by proactive, prompt and proactive in disaster management and creates efficient response; and the building back is better space for them to develop strategies. in reconstruction and recovery phases of disaster. ‘Building Back Better’, propagated by the World Bank, is a universally accepted norm of disaster management. The reconstruction in the Nagapat- which is universally accepted as a tool to prepare tinam district in Tamil Nadu, which was worst communities for disasters. There are numerous affected during Indian Ocean 2004 tsunami, is examples of successful CBDM in countries like a good example of this strategy. Concrete dwell- Peru, Bangladesh and Philippines. The capacity ings were provided about one km away from the of a community is built in the CBDM approach to sea, improving their standard of living and also assess its vulnerability and develop strategies and protecting them from future disasters, while the resources necessary to prevent and mitigate the fishermen were given fibre glass boats during the impact of identified disasters as well as respond, rehabilitation phase which increased their catch

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 11 by almost three times. collaborative effort of Concern Worldwide India, CBDM has been modified to CBDRM in India, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, Ahmeda- where ‘R’ is ‘risk’—to include working with the bad and ‘SWAD Poor’. community in vulnerable areas to mitigate risks. In Ambassa district of Tripura, the villages have Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), made their disaster management teams (rescue, such as the Bharatiya Agro Industries Founda- first aid, security, warning, etc). Make-shift relief tion (BAIF) Development Research Foundation camps with tents made of bamboos are in place are working in drought prone areas in Rajasthan and a warning call, the responsibility of a group of in a community preparedness development pro- women, is sounded during and after an earthquake gramme. International NGOs are collaborating drill or actual earthquake. Motorcyclists, cyclists with local NGOs—for example Save the Children is and three wheelers within the village have been working with local NGOs to carry out child centric identified to transport disaster victims to the clos- drought preparedness programmes in Rajasthan. est hospital. These procedures were initiated by the Such programmes are being implemented in other gram panchayat with the assistance of the National states too, viz., Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi. Nadu, to name a few, through Governmental and The National Disaster Management Authority NGO mechanisms. Micro insurance and micro fi- (NDMA) has drawn up guidelines for CBDRM nance at the community level have recently begun which are likely to be released in May 2014. The in India. A pilot project was conducted through the Authority has also taken the initiative of build-

International communities to disasters’ which was social development and land use) and initiatives in disaster adopted by World Conference on Disaster disaster preparedness and prompt risk reduction Reduction held in 2005, and subsequently response at all levels. strategies endorsed by the UN General Assembly. Bangladesh: CARE-Bangladesh has The UN Assembly Resolution of December The HFA envisaged integration of implemented the Bangladesh Urban 1989 declared 1990 to 2000 as the disaster risk reduction into policies, Disaster Mitigation Project (BUDMP) since United Nations International Decade for plans and programmes of sustainable July 2000. BUDMP has been emphasising Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), development and poverty reduction. the importance of awareness generation which resulted in a paradigm shift in the Member states, regional organisations, among community groups and other approach to disaster management from UN systems, financial institutions and sectors by placing CBDM on the political relief and rehabilitation to prevention, NGOs were expected to engage fully in agenda. The national preparedness day is mitigation and preparedness, with core supporting and implementing international celebrated on March 29 every year. emphasis on developing the coping strategy for disaster reduction and Philippines: The Philippines disaster capacity of the community. The World cooperate to advance integrated management forum emerged from the Conference at Yokohama in 1994 approaches to building disaster resilient reflection workshops on CBDM in 2002. identified the need and ways of building nations and communities under this It was conducted by organisations and the resilience of nations and communities framework. The focus was to be on national individuals who were implementing, and adopted the strategy and framework implementation, through bi-lateral, supporting and advocating CBDM. for plan of action for a safer world. This regional and international cooperation. Citizens Disaster Response Center provided landmark guidance on reducing So far, 86 countries including India have Network (CDRN): It is recognised as disaster risks and the impact of disasters. reported development of a national policy the key organisation which has been In 1999, a UN Assembly Resolution and legislation on disaster management. implementing CBDM since 1984. While adopted the International Strategy for Priorities for action declared by the working together with communities, Disaster Reduction (ISDR) and created UN include political commitment and CDRN has developed strategies to the Secretariat of the UNISDR in Geneva. institutional framework for management enhance the capacity of the community In 2003 and 2004, UNISDR conducted a of disasters at various levels; risk by forming village level disaster response review of the Yokohama Declaration. This identification, assessment, monitoring communities, developing local early review formed the basis for the ‘Hyogo and early warning; sharing knowledge warning systems, organising rescue framework for action (HFA) 2005-2015: on disaster management; reduction of teams and diversifying local sources of Building the resilience of nations and underlying risk factors (environment, livelihood.

12 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you The community can be trained to prepare for disasters through mock exercises, which involve them from the planning of preparedness stage to the enactment of disaster situations. ing the capacity of the community and the first mock exercises so far, sensitising over 3.5 million responders in areas which fall in seismic zone IV people. Ten battalions of the National Disaster Re- and V for earthquakes. Capacity development sponse Force have demarcated geographical areas programmes (CDPs) for earthquake disaster where they carry out awareness programmes and were conducted in all 11 districts of Delhi, (from training of the community, NGOs and govern- 2011 to 2012), in 49 districts of Punjab, Haryana, ment officials during the non-disaster period. Himachal Pradesh and UT of Chandigarh, (from endnote: The common purpose of all CBDM 2012 to 2013), in all three districts of Andaman and programmes is to reduce disaster risk of the Nicobar Islands (2013) and in 94 districts of all the community. The main understanding behind all eight states of northeast India (from 2013 to early such activities should be to find ways and means 2014). In order to check the impact of CDPs and the to mitigate the impact of disasters through the state of preparedness of the community and first participation and involvement of communities. responders, review mock exercises were conducted Imparting skills and effecting change in attitude of with independent observers for third party audit, members of the community are the key to success on specific days during the training programme. of the CBDM approach. We cannot prevent dis- Special sessions were also organised for the judi- asters from happening but we can surely attempt ciary and officials at the district, High Court and to reduce their impact on the lives, livelihood and at the Supreme Court level. The multi district and environment by building the capacity of the com- multi state mock exercises have been very fruitful munity through CBDM approach. in sensitisation of the community and bringing out a number of gaps in preparedness, resources, com- The authors are founder Chairperson, Philanthrope and munications, equipment and systems. research scholar, Manav Rachna International University, NDMA claims to have conducted more than 600 Faridabad, respectively. [email protected]

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 13 Disaster perspectives Science and disaster mitigation The Uttarakhand disaster exposed the gap that exists between science and disaster decision making. Scientific alerts had little impact on the governmental mechanisms. On the other hand that very divide, once bridged, led to a successful evacuation operation in the case of cyclone Phailin. It is thus important to study the linkages between science and disaster reduction, analysing the barriers that prevent more effective use of science to suggest how the gap between science and decision making may be narrowed. It is true that decision makers remain largely unaware of scientific analyses. But, with so many overlaps in monsoon and other climate related studies, scientists in India jostle amongst themselves for a place under the sun, making it all the more difficult for the scientifically challenged policy makers to take relevant decisions. Moreover, political decisions, inevitably extends beyond issues of science. As a result, scientific assessments of risk and disasters are often not used. But, if the traditional linear process of interpretation is challenged and the concept of outreach ingrained amongst the scientific community the barrier may be broken. Science can then enter the domain of the decision maker and disaster mitigation can be bettered, based on a feedback matrix of various stakeholders.

Doppler radar

14 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Term Power India witnesses a multitude of disaster events on a recurrent basis–earthquakes, floods, cyclones, fires, droughts, hailstorms, and even volcanic activity. Test your knowledge of the various phenomena and see how you fare. Answers on page 29.

1. AvAlAnche 2. MAngo 3. nor’ westers a. Flow of liquid mud and a. A cyclone approaching rocks down a hill. shower from the northwest. b. Flow of boulders into a a. Pre-monsoon showers b. Dry winds blowing from river in the valley of a primarily in the southern the northwest which affect steep region. part of India. Punjab and Rajasthan. c. Flow of soft snow and b. Showers in north India c. Local thunderstorm rocks down that cause the loss of which occurs in a hill or mangoes prior to ripening. Bengal, Odisha and mountainside. c. Showers that arrive Bangladesh. immediately after the mango season.

4. lAndfAll 5. epicentre 6. el nino a. Collapse of a hill side a. Point on earth’s a. A cyclonic circulation due to an earthquake and surface vertically that forms during northern consequent mud fan in above the source of an winters. the valley. earthquake. b. Unusually warm ocean b. The intersection of b. The source of tsunami temperatures that the surface centre of a that causes tidal waves affect sea catch. tropical cyclone with a near the coast. c. Hurricanes coastline. c. Opposite side of the that affect the c. Formation of a fissure focus and the source of north and south in an under sea trench. both S and P waves. American coasts.

7. fire line 8. tele-tsunAMi 9. soil lique- a. Strip or trench of a. A tsunami generated land free of combustible from a source more than fAction material. 1000 km away. a. Transformation of granular b. End of area under fire b. A televised tsunami material from a solid to a - relevant for the armed event. liquefied state. forces. c. A tsunami that hits b. Melting of granular c. A line formed by a an island nation with particles at high temperatures. cooling material on a recurring regularity. c. Compaction of granules in burning surface. sub-surface liquids.

Answers on pAge 29 ❯❯

GeoGrGraphy and yoyou . January - February 2014 . 15 Disaster perspectives

Areas inundated by Cyclone Phailin in parts of Balasore and Source: Satellite image from resourcesat-2 LISS III data of Oct 16, 2013. Bhadrak districts, Odisha.

16 . March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Utilisation of open soUrce Geospatial technoloGies for

Disaster prepareDness

VinoD KUmar sharma, G sriniVasa rao & V BhanUmUrthy

Being prepared for disasters before they strike entails ensuring that the rescue teams have the necessary equipment, know where to take people from the affected area and, most importantly, how to keep themselves safe so that the rescue operation continues. By implementing geospatial techniques, emergency preparedness and response phase operations can be customised, and ready to use scenarios can be created to provide information on how to alert, prepare and train volunteers for emergencies.

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 . 17 ach state in India has its disaster prepar- Geographical data is essential for disaster edness plan and as per the new guidelines preparedness; different techniques like ground of the National Disaster Management surveys, aerial surveys, terrestrial maps etc., are Authority (NDMA) even districts have available for collecting, studying and analysing preparednessE plans along the lines of state plans. this data. Remote sensing datasets can gather Cyclone Phailin has shown that if local or central maximum information about the ground in a sin- agencies are prepared for a disaster before it gle take. In addition, temporal datasets of the same strikes, loss of life can be drastically minimised. area can find the differences in development. Vari- As the preparedness plan has to be executed on the ous algorithms with geospatial techniques can ground, accurate and current information about predict the usage of the land, which can be verified the terrain is of great importance; for this local by ground surveys. surveys need to be conducted to collect ground Various open source geospatial technologies are data, shelter information and much more. As in the best option for the development of this infor- the case of a flood, people in low lying areas have to mation system. The huge emergency data can be be shifted to shelters/hospitals; capacity of shelters, organised using the powerful object-relational availability of beds and number of hospitals have database system like PostgreSQL, which is ef- to be verified on the ground. An exercise utilising ficient in handling spatial as well as non-spatial geo-informatic technologies (smart phones with data. Complex spatial queries, like optimal path GPS/online maps) for database creation of shel- generation, needed in rescue plans, can be imple- ters and hospitals has been demonstrated in Puri mented using it. A user friendly graphical user district of Odisha in 2009 and in Assam in 2010, interface, query builder can be developed using and transferred to other states for verification and open source web technologies like PHP, JQuery, collection of emergency databases. The local data Ajax etc. The developed information system can thus gathered can be organised in a format that be hosted on open source servers like Apache. can be used in emergency situations and geospatial For publishing the huge raster/vector datasets techniques can be effectively used for efficient as service, UMN mapserver or geoserver can be organisation and usage of the collected data. used. These web map services (WMS) can be used Here are some steps which should be followed in the web environment using open source map when a disaster warning is issued. First and fore- application programming interface (API) like most, plans have to be well defined, and people Openlayers and Bhuvan API. have to be trained for handling emergency situa- Taking these benefits into account, the open tions. The lack of preparedness, which includes the source community has integrated all these tech- unavailability of a database of emergency facilities, nologies and provided a complete solution to roads etc., may result in thousands of lives lost as address disaster emergency situations. The Na- seen during the Haiti earthquake, 2010, when the tional Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), a part of hospital and relief shelter database available for managing the rescue and relief operations was lim- Fig. 1: Representation of a district disaster ited. Disaster management plans, geospatial tools management information system and techniques like automatic feature extraction using data mining integrated with latest technolo- gies like smart phones, live feed (traffic density and road conditions) are used extensively across the globe to prepare emergency databases. Smart phones with in-built global positioning system (GPS) and camera are widely used for emergency database generation. Local users and volunteers can tag facilities like hospitals, warehouse, relief shelters with facility details, medical equipment and tests available, ambulances on call, contact numbers etc. A detailed emergency database can be generated for each area in this manner to create a relief and rehabilitation matrix.

18 . March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you A Development AnD environment mAgAzine the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has initiated the District Disaster Management Plan Information System (DDMPIS) by cus- tomising and integrating different open source technologies under the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM) programme. Sample datasets of Odisha are used to show the capabilities of DDMPIS (Fig 1). This system is de- signed to organise the essential database (spatial/ geographyandyou.com non spatial) of a district and provides a solution to disaster management authorities to reduce the impact of a disaster. It has modules to track the needs of populations affected by disasters, and it DON’T BELIEVE IN can also be used for coordinating the responding agencies and their resources. As different agencies and organisations are in- SUBSCRIBING? volved in disaster management, collaboration and coordination among them is needed during rescue

A DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT MAGAZINE A Development AnD environment mAgAzine 75 Rs 60 `

operations. Keeping this in mind a software data .com .com YOU you and submission module is customised which allows or- and VOL. ISSUE 13, MARCH 77, - APRIL 2013 GEOGRAPHY Vol. 14, Issue 82, January-February 2014 ganisations to record their offices, warehouses and GeoGraphy field sites (with location) for mapping and linking with other resources like human resources, assets and inventory. The different modules like project tracking and human resource management were developed using open source which allows the authorities to know the maximum needs of the FISHERIES POLICIES AND agencies involved and to maintain coordination INTERVENTIONS Women in Inland Fisheries in India Wild Shrimp Seed Collection Panchayat Purse Seine Fishing in India ■ Women panchayat leaders and micro finance amongst them. The human resource module al- Tracking Yellowfin Tuna ■ networking women in panchayat ■ a tale of two women lows user departments to manage people involved with information about their location, skills etc. This module helps the managers ensure that eve- ryone is effectively engaged with disaster relief work. Separate modules are designed for inven- Buy single CURRENT or tory and asset management. For better planning, various scenarios are created using templates and ARCHIVAL print copies resources. In the actual emergency situation, vol- unteers are alerted using various communication media like SMS and emails. All this planning can ONLINE before be done on 2D or 3D domains and reports, graphs and maps can be generated using this module. stocks run out The greatest advantage of the information sys- tem is that the retrieval of information during a disaster is easy as all the relevant information is For more information please contact our already organised in the database. As it is devel- Subscription Cell. Address of correspondence: oped using open source technologies, it is an Iris Publication Pvt. Ltd., 1584, B1, Vasant Kunj, inexpensive and effective solution for managing New Delhi - 110070, Ph.: 011-26122789. Email: [email protected] Visit us at: disasters. www.geographyandyou.com/subscribe.html.

The authors are Scientist, Head of Division and Group Single copy: Rs 120 for one issue by registered Director, National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad. post (no online tracking) [email protected] Rs 150 for one issue by speed post (online tracking enabled) GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 . 19 Disaster perspectives

Evaluating Catastrophe Insurance

20 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you isaster plans, which are integrated into regular development plans, are now drawn by each state in India and steps are taken to make changes in infrastructure, administration, communication devices, emergency services, etc., Dto mitigate the losses caused by disasters. Currently, two types of funds are in place: the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). They provide for only immediate relief to the victims of natu- ral calamities. The expenditure on restoration of infrastructure is required to be met from the plan funds of the respective states. Since 1990, each state has a CRF based on the recommendations of the Ninth Finance Commission. Contributions by the central government and state government are in the ratio 3:1 under the CRF. This decentralisa- tion gave much needed autonomy to the states to assess their need for disaster relief. The CRF amount was based on the average expenditures made by the state in previous years. If the CRF is insufficient for a state confronted with a disaster, it may request the use of NDRF, which gets its funds from the National Calamity Contingency Fund. The initial corpus of Rs 500 crore is provided by the central government and additional amount as required for their disaster comes from levy of spe- cial surcharges on the central government taxes. In this way, the government ensures that it does not fall short of funds when a disaster occurs—the fund can be replenished by levying surcharges. The Prime Minister’s Relief Fund is also available for disaster situations. Until 1990, states were required to apply for central aid in the event of a disaster; a visit by the central team to the affected area determined the The utility of disaster insurance, a amount of aid. There was, and even today is, a large difference between the amounts requested relatively new concept for India, is by the states and the amounts delivered by the still being debated. This insurance centre—the amount being awarded depending on the capacity of the state to convince the cen- would perhaps be useful only if tre. For example, Assam requested for central aid of Rs 12,000 crore in 2012, while the package a foundation is laid for a social announced by the Center was Rs 500 crore (Eco- and physical disaster mitigation nomic Times, July 10, 2012); the additions to this package however, are not known. infrastructure. catastrophe insurance Story Alka Parikh A large proportion of India’s population is poor,

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 21 implying high disaster vulnerability. Therefore, age. Thus the insurance companies also need to for the Indian government, disaster management design a suitable insurance product for India. is a humanitarian rather than a financial issue. It An attempt was made by the All India Disaster is also understood that Indian citizens will come Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) in this direction. together to support victims; it would be perceived With support from two public sector insurance as their duty towards the nation. Raising money companies, AIDMI distributed Afat Vimo (Gu- through levying of surcharges for the victims of jarati for disaster insurance) which covers five disaster would not be a complex task. There would risks: life, trade stock, livelihood assets, house and be national consensus on providing relief and lit- house contents of the policy holder. The scheme tle resistance to levy of surcharges. The corporate covers damage or losses through 19 types of disas- sector and citizens are also expected to respond to ters including earthquake, fire, cyclone, landslides the appeal for donations to the Prime Minister’s and lightening strikes. About 7200 policies have Relief Fund. This amounts to little interest in the been sold till now in earthquake affected areas national policy-making circles in developing a of Gujarat and Kashmir and in tsunami affected financial instrument to raise money. It is felt that areas of Tamil Nadu. However, renewal rates funds can be raised as and when required, through of these policies are not clear. The general track various fiscal instruments that the government record of renewal rates of most insurance policies has at its disposal. The private corporate and has been poor in India. Also, no claim settlement citizens are also expected to respond to the appeal has been done till now because none of these areas for donations. In such a scenario, the government have been affected by such major disasters since. has not felt the need to evolve new financial instru- Thus the utility for the buyers and the viability of ments. Also, states in India are used to seeking operating the insurance for the sellers are yet to help from the Central government whenever a be tested. disaster occurs. It might not be easy to change that attitude. Additionally, the mechanism of CRF is Insuring families well in place now, effectively reducing the need for The need for insurance has been felt more for urgent funds. private property than by states. For example, the The states of India or the Panchayati Raj Institu- compensation given by the government does tions cannot be attracted into buying catastrophe not go beyond Rs 1 lakh for the construction of insurance. As most of the local bodies have very a house. Equipment damages are seldom met limited funds, it would be difficult for them to pay by government assistance. High risk areas that the premiums, primarily because the premium experience a flood every year receive very little rates for catastrophe insurance in disaster prone assistance because they are low impact disasters. regions would be quite high. Insurance can be of help in such circumstances. After the Mumbai floods in 2005, the General Health is the other priority concern. Injuries Insurance Corporation alone had settled claims caused by disasters are treated free of charge by worth Rs 650 crore. Post the World Trade Center government hospitals. Citizens can also be treated attack, India created its catastrophe insurance for free, up to a certain cost, if they are covered mechanism for terrorist damage. Taj and Oberoi by medical insurance. However, the cost of post- Hotels received the first disbursements from this operative care is not covered by any mechanism catastrophe insurance mechanism after the 2008 and the compensation given by government for Mumbai attacks. The exact amount of dispersal injuries is too meagre to cover such costs. The loss is not known but it is reported that insurance of income due to injuries or the permanent loss companies significantly raised their premium for of income due to disabilities is also not covered terrorist cover after that. under any insurance instrument yet. There are hardly any insurance firms that offer Unless the insurance company spreads its risk catastrophe insurance in India, and at present it is cover over many geographical regions, it will merged into life or general insurance. The problem be difficult for it to meet claims. It would either is, it is not a common practice to include natural become bankrupt or increase the premiums disasters as part of the acceptable causes for dam- considerably, creating a cycle where either the

22 March-April 2014 . Geography and You insurer or the insured would suffer losses. When an insurance company feels that it has assumed If the supply of insurance is too much risk, it can pay a premium and procure hindered, the demand for insurance from a bigger company that can pay a large amount in case the event occurs. It is a means catastrophe insurance is of sharing or spreading the risk by the insurance company. Reinsurance mechanisms thus would likely to be affected. It has have to be strategically used to meet with such been a major challenge in situations. However, most reinsurance policies compensate the insurer for part losses that exceed India to convince people to a certain amount. The maximum covered amount is also determined. Again, this would either prove buy insurance of any kind. to be an expensive option for the insurer or it would be ineffective in saving them from incur- ring huge losses. If the supply of insurance is hindered, the probable events (A Fares and E Abou-Bakr, 2012, demand for catastrophe insurance is likely to be ‘Economics of insurance against natural catas- affected. It has been a major challenge in India trophes: Overburdened arab insurers’, article in to convince people to buy insurance of any kind. Review of Economics and Finance).This seems to Even if people do buy insurance, they pay the be a viable option. premiums just once. Under such circumstances, it would become especially difficult to convince conclusion people to buy insurance against disasters that are The provision of catastrophe insurance would considered a ‘once in 100 years’ phenomenon. be useful only after a strong foundation is laid There is little demand for disaster insurance for social and physical disaster mitigation infra- even in nations which have very well developed structure. That said, the case for introducing insurance markets. F Michale and V Bruggman’s catastrophe insurance for families is convincing. 2013 paper ‘Catastrophic risks and first party A new catastrophe insurance product needs to insurance’ from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Inter- be devised that combines catastrophe insurance nationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German with other products to make it more acceptable Society for International Cooperation, reveals and attractive for the buyer. It can be distributed that the demand for catastrophe insurance was by NGOs which can educate people about the found to be as low as 15-50 per cent in Germany product. The National Bank for Agriculture and and USA. Therefore doubts remain about the Rural Development (NABARD), the apex bank viability of offering market based catastrophe for agriculture and rural development in India, insurance provided by the private firms at market could be roped in to support disaster insurance rates without any subsidies. The authors observed to help financial institutions pool risks. The that even though there is evidence of limited inter- government could be involved to pay or subsidise est in catastrophe insurance, there are cases where premiums to make it affordable for the poor. There insurance purchase increased after experiencing is a need to develop index based insurances which a disaster, as was the case after the Florida floods give out the claims if the event exceeds some limit caused by storm Debby in 2012. The authors also of the index; for example, drought is declared only note that as the memory of the disaster faded, the if the region has rain deficiency of more than 50 policies were cancelled, as was seen after the 1994 per cent. Or else, there is a need to develop other California earthquake. suitable insurance products for high probability It has been suggested that if people prefer insur- low impact disasters. ance against events with high probability and low losses, they would accept insurance against low The author is Associate Professor at the Dhirubhai Ambani probability catastrophes if this insurance is sold Institute of Information and Communication Technology, for extra cost added to insurance against highly Gandhinagar, Gujarat. [email protected]

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 23 Disaster perspectives

Chemical Industry Safety in India

Photo: Chemical plant at night

24 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Only in the last decade, 130 significant chemical accidents have been

reported in India, which resulted in 259 deaths and 563 major injuries.

Safety measures are thus required to be addressed by all stakeholders, in a

sustained manner, for the prevention of chemical accidents.

Story Muzaffar Ahmad and Amit Tuteja

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 25 hemical industries are process other small and medium sized industries and new industries, primarily engaged industries are being established at a rapid rate. in converting raw material into Chemical accidents can occur at any time due intermediates or end products by to the lack of safety measures, technical break- physical or chemical means. Proc- down, nature-induced effects or due to human ess activities consist of manufacturing, storage, error. These disasters are low in frequency but are Chandling and transportation of hazardous chemi- very significant in terms of loss of lives, injuries, cals in bulk or packaged condition to the final environmental impact and property damage. consumers. As the chemical industry has grown This phenomenon manifests into immediate and in size and complexity, there have been increases residual or long term consequences. The irony is in hazards to which the laboratory personnel, that despite the Bhopal disaster, and innumerable industrial workers, nearby residents and the sur- gas leaks, fires, explosions and accidents reported rounding environment (including livestock, flora over the years, including Jaipur Oil depot (IOC) and fauna) are exposed directly or indirectly. The fire, Bombay Port Trust chlorine leak, Sivakasi ex- risk is sometimes further compounded by unsafe plosion, and recent Surat IOC fire (January 2013), handling of plant operations at the chemical units, the accidents have not adequately abated even after as these units are generally not ready to handle the notification of applicable Acts, leaving India’s extreme conditions. There might be typical communities vulnerable. Moreover, people are not adverse effects in the form of chemical explosions sufficiently aware of the risks they are living with. or industrial fires which can cause injuries and loss of lives apart from large scale destruction. Chemical Industrial Safety Measures for Hazardous (harmful) substances released into Prevention of Accidents water or air may travel long distances and con- Though a modest beginning has already been taminate soil, crops and livestock, making the made towards chemical disaster management affected area uninhabitable for humans. Further, (CDM) in India in the form of regulatory frame- ecological systems may be disrupted resulting in work and guidelines, adequate safety of chemical deep-rooted environmental imbalance. plants, associated workers and the surrounding community still has a long way to go. Looking at the Chemical Disaster Risk in India current CDM scenario in the country, it is clearly India has witnessed the world’s worst chemical observed that chemical accidents can be avoided (industrial) disaster—the Bhopal Gas Tragedy up to some extent by adopting sound chemical in 1984, where thousands of people died due to safety measures by key stakeholders. accidental release of the toxic Methyl IsoCyanate Chemical units: The prime focus of chemical (MIC) gas. India continued to witness a series of units should be on overall risk management. chemical accidents after Bhopal, demonstrat- The AS/NZS ISO 31000: 2009 Risk Management ing the vulnerability of the country. Four major Principles and Guidelines are being globally used chemical incidents that took place during the in industrial units for overall risk management. last 25 years—explosion in IPCL Gas Cracker Chemical units should classify all the activities to Complex at Nagothane in Maharashtra (1990); establish context, stage-wise from beginning till explosion at HPCL refinery at Vishakhapatnam the end (process design to delivery stage) and then (1997); gas cylinder burst in Mumbai (2001) and start identifying potential hazards that exist in IOCL Fire Tragedy of Jaipur (October 2009). Only these activities or sub activities, in order to under- in the last decade, 130 significant chemical acci- stand what problems can happen and how. After dents have been reported in India, which resulted risk identification, the process of risk assessment in 259 deaths and 563 major injuries. should take place in two parts. First, risk analysis needs to be carried out on the basis of likelihood Major Risk Prone Units in India of activities and the probable consequences. After There are about 1861 major accident hazard that, risks should be estimated through evaluation, (MAH) units, spread across 301 districts (Fig and prioritised in sequence. Next, the risks should 1) in all zones of the country. Apart from these, be addressed by developing action plans. Against

26 March-April 2014 . Geography and You Fig. 1: State wise major risk prone units India has about 1861 major accident Jammu & Kashmir hazard units, spread across 301 districts in all zones of the country.

Himachal Pradesh

Punjab Uttarakhand

Haryana Arunachal Delhi Pradesh Sikkim

Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Assam Nagaland Bihar Manipur Meghalaya Jharkhand Tripura Gujarat Mizoram Madhya Pradesh West Bengal

Chhattisgarh

Odisha The Indian chemical Maharashtra industry, estimated to be about INR No. of Major Accidents Hazard Units 600,000 crores (USD Andhra Pradesh 108 billion) in 2011- 250 to 537 Goa 12, comprises of 100 to 250 approximately 2 per Karnataka 50 to 100 cent of India’s GDP. Share of the industry 25 to 50 in national exports 10 to 25 Tamil Nadu is around 9.2 per Kerala 0 to 10 cent—Department of Chemicals and Multi-hazard district Petrochemicals, GoI.

Source: Map abstracted from ‘Industrial sitting in multi-hazard environment: Application Map not to scale of GIS and MIS’, MoEF, June 2010.

each action plan, responsibilities and target dates of HAZCHEMs via rail, road, air, marine or should be assigned so that all potential risks can pipelines etc. It must be ensured that small and be tracked and addressed in a phased manner. The medium enterprises dealing with hazardous entire process should be monitored and reviewed materials, generally located in the periphery of periodically by the management, taking all the urban cities, should not exceed the safety limit concerned people into the loop through com- of buffer stock of hazardous chemicals. Safety munication and consultation. As part of process culture amongst employees and workers must be safety management, the units should have stand- developed by conducting refresher trainings. In ard operating procedures (SOPs), which need to addition, safety audits and periodic checks must be be adhered to during processes. The workers, in ensured through credible agencies, to monitor im- particular, should be well informed. plementation of plant safety initiatives at the site. For safe transport of hazardous chemicals The unit owners and corporate should be (HAZCHEMs), MAH units are recommended encouraged to undertake corporate social respon- to follow certain procedures prescribed under sibility and responsible care, to invest in disaster National Disaster Management Authority prevention and awareness at the community level. (NDMA) guidelines. These guidelines cover spe- Responsible care framework promotes codes of cific technical instructions for safe transportation practice on process safety, pollution prevention,

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 27 Fig 2. Risk management process overview Penalising defaulter units: In case of non adherence of Factories Act 1948, Environment

Establish the context Protection Act 1986, and other allied rules (MSIHC, EPPR etc.) and regulations pertaining to chemical safety, prompt action should be taken Identify risks against defaulters. Chemical units which are dumping hazardous waste in unsafe manner and

Analyse risks polluting the surrounding environment should be strictly penalised. Emergency plan: The district authority, the nodal Monitor and review Monitor and Evaluate risks agency at the district level, is responsible for the Communicate and consult and Communicate Assess risks development and institutionalisation of the offsite emergency plan of the district. The concerned Treat risks departments and community should be sensitised by the district authority about potential hazards and preparedness. Further, it should take stock of the required and available resources, conduct inventorisation at district and sub district level and also equip the district emergency opera- tions centre to meet all the communication and coordination requirements. The district authority employees’ health and safety, and community should also periodically facilitate the district crisis awareness for emergencies. group (DCG) and keep track of activities of local Government’s role: It is the responsibility of the crisis group (LCG) on potential chemical hazards government to develop a legal framework for and associated risks. institutionalisation of CDM and to govern the NGOs and community: Although NGOs are not entire process. A number of regulations already entirely technically sound from the point of view exist in India for the organised sector, in the form of chemical industrial safety, they are generally the of various Acts such as Environment Protection first responders. Therefore, it is also very impor- Act 1986, Factories Act 1948, Explosives Act 1884, tant for these stakeholders to be sensitised about Public Liability Insurance Act 1991, Disaster Man- chemical hazard prevention and preparedness. agement Act 2005 etc., and allied rules primarily The identified group or representatives should including Manufacture, Storage and Import of be part of LCG, and report unsafe observations, Hazardous Chemical (MSIHC) 1989, Emergency such as chemical spillage, leakage, or dumping of Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) hazardous waste in the surroundings, and share 1996 etc; however, the key is implementation at information with the community about applicable the ground. Further, implementation of NDMA hazards and local safety measures. The identified Guidelines on CDM and a national policy on group of volunteers, community representatives safety, health and environment at the units is and citizens task force should be trained in the also important. dissemination of warning in the vicinity to assist Institutional safety mechanism for the unorgan- the district authority and chemical units, as and ised sector: On occupational safety and health when required, by using local communication aspects, a mechanism is to be devised with joint means. support from bodies like Directorate General of Factories Advice Service and Labour Institutes The authors are Member and Specialist- Chemical (DGFASLI), National Institute of Occupational Industrial Disaster Management, National Disaster Health (NIOH) etc. The focus should be on local- Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi. ised risks and behaviour based safety. [email protected]

28 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Term Power Rating ■ 1 to 4 Correct - Informed ■ 5 to 7 Correct - Knowledge bank ■ 8 to 9 Correct - Encyclopaedia

1. avalaNchE 2. MaNgo 3. Nor’ wEstErs Ans: c. Avalanche or a Ans: c. These severe snow slide, may occur showEr thunderstorms that occur during winter from Ans: a. These are between March and May, December to April, pre-monsoon showers in sometimes reaching along any slope in the Karnataka, Kerala, and tornadic violence. The snow bound reaches parts of Tamil Nadu and winds in these storms of the Himalaya. The Puducherry. They help come from a north-westerly Snow and Avalanche in mango ripening. They direction. They are also Study Establishment, occur in late April and known as Kalbaisakhi. Chandigarh, is responsible early May, and are for operational avalanche caused due to prediction in India. thunderstorms

4. laNdfall 5. EpicENtrEE 6. El NiNo Ans: b. In a tropical or Ans: a. It is the point Ans: b. It is an oscillation subtropical storm when the where most severe of the ocean-atmosphere eye of the storm passes over damage is experienced system in the tropical land, it is termed as 'making during an earthquake. It Pacific with effects like landfall'. However, many has no physical meaning increased rainfall and times the strongest winds as it is hypothetical point brush fires. In contrast, in a tropical cyclone can on the surface vertically La Niña is characterised be experienced above the source of the by unusually cold ocean over land even earthquake—hypocentre temperatures in the without landfall. or focus. equatorial Pacific.

7. firE liNEE 8. tElE- tsuNaMi 9. soil liquE- Ans: a. These are used to Ans: a. These are caused prevent fires in the forest. by the vertical motion of factioN In addition to the specially the seabed or volcanic Ans: a. It can cut fire lines, all roads eruptions. Despite be caused by an passing through the forest travelling more than 1000 earthquake or other are treated as fire lines. km, they are less frequent rapid loading. It occurs Trenches or raised portions but more hazardous in soils in which the are cleared of vegetation than regional space between the and burnt before the fire tsunamis. particles is filled with season commences. water. Disaster perspectives

30 . March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Story Pijush Samui

Liquefaction Of Soil During Earthquakes The mechanism of an earthquake is very complex. The resultant liquefaction of soil is one of the prime causes of immense damage to life and property and has been discussed in the essay.

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 . 31 arthquakes cause liquefaction of soil, transforming granular material from a solid to a liquefied state as a consequence of increased pore-water pressure and Ereduced effective stress. The generation of excess pore pressure under undrained loading condi- tions is a hallmark of all liquefaction phenomena. This occurrence was brought to the attention of True colour engineers more so after the Niigata (1964) and Alaska (1964) earthquakes. Liquefaction causes building settlement or tipping, sand boils, ground cracks, landslides, dam instability, highway embankment failures, or other hazards. Liquefaction changes the amplitude and fre- quency content of ground motions. Ground surface displacement increases when ground acceleration decreases, causing damage that is of great concern to public safety. Site-specific evaluation of liquefac- tion susceptibility of sandy and silty soils is the first step in liquefaction hazard assessment. Liquefaction is divided into two groups—flow liquefaction and cyclic mobility. The former occurs only in loose soil and produces massive flow slides, sinking and tilting of heavy structure, floating of False colour light buried structures and failure of retaining structures. Cyclic mobility occurs in loose and dense soils, causing slumping of slopes, settlements of buildings, lateral spreading and retaining wall failure. Level-ground liquefaction occurs when Liquefaction potential is evaluated by compar- cyclic loading is sufficient to produce high excess ing equivalent measure of earthquake loading pore pressure. The existence of sand boils is often and liquefaction resistance. Earthquake loading taken as evidence of level-ground liquefaction. characterisation is generally done by using cyclic The determination of behaviour of soil due to shear stress. By normalising the cyclic shear stress an earthquake is an imperative task in disaster amplitude by initial effective overburden stress, a mitigation. Liquefaction of soil depends on the cyclic stress ratio (CSR) is defined. CSR represents following parameters: the level of cyclic loading induced at different ■ Intensity of earthquake and its duration depths in a soil profile, which corresponds to a spe- ■ Location of ground water table ■ Soil type cific earthquake. Resistance, mostly characterised ■ Soil relative density ■ Particle size gradation on field observation and based on the potential for ■ Particle shape ■ Depositional environment of liquefaction, is classified by comparing CSR with soil ■ Soil drainage conditions ■ Confining pres- the liquefaction resistance, and cyclic resistance sures ■ Aging and cementation of soil deposits ratio (CRR). In cyclic strain approach, liquefaction ■ Historical environment of soil deposit ; and, is expected at locations where the cyclic strain am- ■ Building/additional loads on the soil deposit. plitude induced for a particular number of cycles Poorly-graded soils are generally more sus- by an earthquake is greater than the cyclic strain ceptible to liquefaction than well-graded ones; amplitude required to initiate liquefaction in the similarly, soils with rounded particles are more same number of cycles. There are five earthquake susceptible to liquefaction. A site that is close to the zones in India and the above techniques can be epicenter of fault rupture of a major earthquake or used in zone 2, 3, 4 and 5. a site that has a ground water table close to ground The liquefaction hazard can be minimised by surface is prone to liquefaction. using the following construction methods for spe-

32 . March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you These multi-angle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR) images show the Kutch region in the Gujarat province of western India. On January 26, 2001, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake devastated this area, killing 20,000 people and destroying buildings, dams, and port facilities. The MISR images are pre- and post-earthquake scenes acquired on January 15 (two left images) and January 31, 2001 (two right images), respectively. Each of these images is about 275 km wide by 218 km high. The earthquake epicenter was just below the southern tip of the large, white area on the right-hand side of the images (circled), and about 70 km northeast of the city of Bhuj. The salt flats can be seen in the white and grey areas. During the earthquake, strong shaking produced liquefaction in the fine silts and sands below the water table in the Rann of Kutch. This caused the mineral grains to settle and expel their interstitial water to the surface. Field investigations have found abundant evidence of mud volcanos, sand boils, and fissures from which salty ground water erupted over an area exceeding 10,000 square km. Evidence of the expelled water can also be seen on the MISR images. Notice the delicate, dendritic pattern of stream channels throughout many of the salt-flats on the post-earthquake image, especially due north of the epicenter. These carried water brought to the surface by liquefaction during the earthquake. Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov

cific locations. However, most of these mitigation is injected under pressure into granular soil. The methods are yet to be extensively adopted in India. grout forms a bulb that displaces and hence densi- Vibroflotation:This involves the use of a vibrating fies the surrounding soil. Compaction grouting probe that can penetrate granular soil to depths of is a good option if the foundation of an existing over 100 feet. The vibrations of the probe cause the building requires improvement, since it is possible grain structure to collapse thereby densifying the to inject the grout from the side or at an inclined soil surrounding the probe. angle to reach beneath the building. dynamic compaction: Densification by dynamic drainage techniques: Liquefaction hazards can compaction is performed by dropping a heavy be reduced by increasing the drainage ability of weight of steel or concrete in a grid pattern from the soil. If the pore water within the soil can drain heights of 30 to 100 ft. It provides an economical freely, the build-up of excess pore water pressure way of improving soil for mitigation of liquefac- will be reduced. Drainage techniques include tion hazards. installation of drains of gravel, sand or synthetic Stone columns: These are columns of gravel materials. Synthetic wick drains can be installed constructed into the ground. Stone columns can at various angles, in contrast to gravel or sand be constructed by the vibroflotation method. drains that are usually installed vertically. Drain- compaction piles: Installing compaction piles age techniques are often used in combination with is an effective way of improving soil. Compaction other types of soil improvement techniques for piles are usually made of prestressed concrete more effective liquefaction hazard reduction. or timber. Installation of compaction piles both densifies and reinforces the soil. The author is Professor, Centre for Disaster compaction Grouting: This is a technique Mitigation and Management, VIT University, Vellore. whereby a slow-flowing water/sand/cement mix [email protected]

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 . 33 Disaster perspectives

The Companies Act 2013 has enhanced the possibilities of utilising the CSR of companies for disaster risk reduction.

34 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Mainstreaming CSR in Disaster Risk Reduction Mainstreaming corporate social responsibility in disaster management could support disaster preparedness and mitigation activities of the community and mobilise human, material, and financial resources of the company for utilisation during disaster situations. Ranjana Mukhopadhyaya

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 35 ndia’s geo-climatic conditions or more or a net profit of Rs 5 crore or more during as well as its high degree of socio- any financial year is required to spend at least 2 per economic vulnerability make it cent of its average net profit in the previous three one of the most disaster-prone years on CSR activities. According to the Indian countries in the world. The high vulnerability Institute of Corporate Affairs, a minimum of 6,000 profile of India has severely affected every sector Indian companies will be required to undertake of the economy resulting in great financial loss CSR projects in order to comply with the provisions and infrastructural damage in the past few dec- of the Companies Act, 2013 with many companies ades. India reportedly faced losses over Rs 1000 undertaking these initiatives for the first time. croreI (185 million USD) due to the adverse winter While large corporate houses such as Tata and weather in January 2014, according to the Global Birla have a long history of engaging in CSR activi- Catastrophe Recap study, released by Impact ties, the new CSR clause will particularly affect the Forecasting, the catastrophe model development small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by requiring centre at Aon Benfield, a US based reinsurance companies with a minimum net profit of Rs 5 crore capital advisor company. to spend on CSR activities. It will be challenging for The corporate sector possesses huge resources— SMEs to undertake CSR activities, as this business human, material, technical, and financial, and is sector is increasingly under scrutiny from its cus- an integral part of the socio-economic life of the tomers to comply with environmental and social community. It has a stake in the well-being and standards while remaining competitive in terms of prosperity of the community as its own progress price and quality. and viability is dependent on it. Recognising the This new CSR law has enhanced the possibilities importance of integrating the corporate sector in of utilising the CSR of companies for disaster risk disaster risk management, the National Disaster reduction (DRR). Schedule VII of the Act, which Framework drawn up by the Ministry of Home lists out the activities eligible under CSR, does Affairs, Government of India envisages the “in- not directly refer to disaster mitigation related volvement of the corporate sector in awareness activities but many of the listed activities such as generation and disaster preparedness and mitiga- poverty eradication, woman empowerment, skill tion planning through sensitisation, training and enhancement, environment sustainability etc., co-opting of the corporate sector and their nodal could contribute towards building disaster resil- bodies in planning process and response mecha- ient communities. In addition, contributions by nisms”. Moreover, there is an increasing demand the companies to the Prime Minister’s National for accountability from the corporate sector as Relief Fund, which is primarily utilised for post the value and reputation of a company is being disaster relief and reconstruction, and other such judged by the social and environmental impact state and central funds will be considered as CSR of its business activities and by its contribution under this Act. It also clarifies that activities ex- to the economic well-being and development of clusively meant for the benefit of the employees or the community where it operates. Therefore, the the shareholders of the company will not qualify corporate sector cannot remain secluded from as CSR activities. In other words, CSR needs to its responsibilities to develop a safe and disaster- address the well-being of all stakeholders and the resilient community. wider community, and not just the company’s Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in India shareholders or employees. has received a renewed thrust with the enactment The CSR clause emphasises community based of the Companies Act, 2013 that has introduced a activities, where preference should be given by new provision for CSR. Clause 135 of this Act stipu- companies to local areas and the regions around lates that every company which has a net worth of the place of its operation. Mainstreaming CSR in Rs 500 crore or more, a turnover of Rs 1000 crore disaster management could involve the corporate

36 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Many of the activities listed in the Companies Act 2013, such as poverty eradication, woman empowerment, skill enhancement, environment sustainability etc., could contribute towards building disaster resilient communities.

sector in supporting disaster preparedness and of employees, generate a feeling of satisfaction, mitigation activities of the community and in mo- and improve operational efficiency. Collaborating bilising human, material, and financial resources with government agencies, NGOs, or civil society of the company for utilisation during disaster organisations (CSOs) via its CSR activities could situations. foster new relationships with various stakeholders The approach of the Companies Act 2013 to- in the community and interests of local commu- wards CSR is to consider it holistic and integrated nity could bring a wide range of business benefits. with the core business strategy of the company On the other hand, NGOs and CSOs could also for addressing social and environmental impacts benefit from their collaboration with the com- of businesses. CSR is an important component of panies. The NGOs, through their tie-up with corporate sustainability or responsible business. companies will not only be able to receive funds While philanthropic activities of a company could for their activities during emergencies, but will be part of its CSR activities, it goes beyond the con- also be assured of a secure source of funding for its cept of philanthropy as it constitutes a much larger long term projects. The Handbook on Corporate set of activities central to business strategy of the Social Responsibility in India, 2013, published by companies. It is not just about what is done with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) states that the profits after they are made but also relates to it is estimated that CSR commitments from com- how the profits are made. Hence, by mainstream- panies can amount to as much as Rs 20,000 crore. ing CSR in disaster management, disaster risk A trans-national initiative to involve the corpo- reduction could become integral to the core busi- rate sector in disaster management is the founding ness operations of the company. of Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management A company could implement CSR activities in October 2012 (apadm.org). The purpose of through its in-house CSR department, corporate this Alliance is to create a national platform for foundation, or it could form partnerships with disaster aid, consisting of government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The corporate sectors and NGOs in the countries of latter option could open up new avenues of pub- Asia-Pacific region. The platform, through pre- lic–private partnership or corporate-civil society agreements with the corporate sector, aims to collaboration in disaster management related ac- build a support system for effective and efficient tivities. Companies, particularly SMEs, that do delivery system of goods and services for disaster not have the manpower, expertise or experience aid and response. India, which is not yet a member, in implementing CSR activities in areas related to could benefit by joining this Alliance, as it would disaster risk management or are unaware of local not only strengthen the cooperation between the conditions and social needs in post-disaster sce- corporate sector and the civil society nationally, narios, could involve an NGO as its implementing but would also enhance the scope of collaboration partner. A company could reap various benefits internationally. from its CSR activities in disaster management— supporting the community at the time of disaster The author is Associate Professor in the Department could enhance the image of the company leading of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi and to positive publicity and brand building of the Chairperson, Samutthan Foundation, New Delhi. company, which in turn could boost the morale [email protected]

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 37 Disaster perspectives

Disaster Preparedness

Coastal populations, especially those of the east coast of India, are prone to frequent cyclonic calamities. Women’s participation in distribution, rebuilding, management and all other aspects of disaster is imperative for fostering responsive and sensitive partners who can mitigate the vulnerability status.

Story Sulagna Chattopadhyay Disaster Preparedness Gender and Vulnerable Coastal Communities

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 39 ndia is one of the most vul- husband or the son. Women of Mousani showed nerable countries that are a greater number of owned assets as compared to recurrently prone to natural the women of the fishing hamlet in Raichak. disasters, cyclone being one The housing in the region mainly comprises of of the most prominent. Perhaps more stark than ‘kuccha’ habitations, following a linear pattern on the calamities is the marginalisation of women the levee in the case of Raichak, and scattered in during and post disasters; being increasingly the island of Mousani. The ceilings are low, rang- exposed to crime, unsafe delivery and poor nutri- ing from 4 to 6 feet, usually single roomed, used tion. Moreover, breakage of community linkages mainly by women for sleeping and storing, with andI the matrix of dependency show that disaster kitchen, washing and leisure spaces located out- preparedness lacks gender sensitisation at its core. side. Significantly, only one house had a toilet in Even today women are looked upon as victims and Mousani, while the habitation at Raichak had no the perception of their ‘helplessness’ undermines bathing spaces, let alone toilets. the natural potential to manage efficient linkages before, during and after a disaster. The aspect ReSponSe To diSaSTeRS came to further light from a study conducted by When the female respondents were posed ques- the G’nY team in the Raichak area, about 300 km tions related to disaster preparedness, they largely from the cyclone core of Balasore in Odisha and dismissed its need. Vulnerability, they opined, is approximately 60 km south of Kolkata, and Mou- a part of life. They were reluctant to consider relo- sani in Sunderban, 90 odd km south of Kolkata. cation, as they felt it would affect their livelihood. West Bengal is ranked third in the number of cy- Ranked at the top was their need for better housing. clones in India with a cyclone probability of 0.6 per They were aware of warning systems and tune in to year, i.e. at least one cyclone every second year (In- radio or TV warnings when the skies turn grey. Few dian Meteorological Department records for 1891 of the respondents mentioned that a loud speaker to 2006). Thus, preparedness is an important aspect system would be of better use, especially if they in the region. The vulnerable sections were found have to evacuate and go to a camp or shelter. They to be alert to weather changes and could at times seemed aware of cyclone shelters in their location preempt storm-like circulations with accuracy. but do not feel comfortable about accessing it as it does not hold an inviolate space for women. As The STudy regards disaster preparedness, they felt that they The area when visited was found to be inhabited know each other well in the village and they do not mainly by young women in the age group of 15 to need to be aligned just so that they can be prepared. 44. Their daily chores included, apart from house- The respondents opined that their prime-most hold activities, gleaning shrimp seed from the need in a post disaster situation is food and drink- distributaries of Ganga that flowed before their ing water. They feel that camps should have specific houses and tending to subsistence paddy fields. areas designated for women and children and are The women were mostly educated up to fourth or open to women assistance for dealing with issues fifth class while the men were marginally better off of reproductive health. They cite cases where the with a score of matriculates. Engaged in low skilled women find it difficult to cope with the flood of labour, the women were found to be working in people, inclement conditions and zero sensitivity adverse conditions that were exploitative in terms in the shelters. The female respondents feel that the of sale of fish seed and other subsistence produce. disaster evacuation and assistance lack the com- The women were found to have very little owned fort and assurance that women rescue and relief assets, which were in most cases in the name of the workers could contribute. The respondents were

40 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Women are strong advocates for preparedness measures.

least conclusive about better sanitation facilities. of disasters and emergencies. Often these associa- As regards molestation and crime in shelters, one tions function to cross-cut kin groups, serving to respondent said that she consciously chose to leave balance dominating political and economic forc- her young daughter and minor son in the ravaged es. If women’s groups are aligned at the grassroot house despite the risk and went herself to collect level along existing lines it would be the decisive food and water, as she did not want to expose her way to prepare and mitigate the negative impacts daughter to the risks of sexual abuse. of a disaster. Women are strong advocates for preparedness measures at the community level CommuniTy maTRix because they understand what disaster means in The small fisher folk community of Raichak, as the day-to-day realities of life. well as the paddy growers of the sinking island of Mousani, has a cohesive society bound together inTeRvenTionS needed by common dangers of shared livelihoods. These A brief study of existing policies of states (dis- strong indigenous associations provide an exist- aster management being a state issue) that have ing organisational base to be the first responders vulnerable coastal communities living in similar

Table 1: Recent disasters in India and women personnel deployed by the NDRF

Number of ToTal Number organisation personnel personnel Women persoNNel Composition iN Camps of teams iN each team deployed

CyClone phailin oCtober 2013

“Don’t know the number. Women only in medical 3rd Battalion, team”... “two lady doctors, Men, women separate National Disaster 29 with 10-15 42 1233 nurses”... “women preferred enclosures, separate area for ill Response Force, supervisors in medical, not in rescue people. Odisha and search team”— Commandant M K Yadav.

Uttarakhand floods JUne 2013

8th Battalion, “15-20 women paramedics, National Disaster 510 on an 12 40-45 replaced by men later” — Response Force, average Commandant P K Srivastava Ghaziabad 7th Battalion, “No women because that National Disaster 4 23+28+33+35 119 place was not suitable.” — Response Force, Inspector Jyoti Ranjan Das Bhatinda “60-80 women in relief operations for nursing in People travel in large groups, Indo-Tibetan 3 battalions 1800 hospitals, consolation, taking prefer to stay together.—PRO Border Police care of people.”—PRO Vivek Vivek Pandey Pandey

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 41 Leader in the making: Rama runs a tea stall at one end of the linear fishing hamlet of Raichak. She acts as a focal point of various discussions and is well accepted by her fellow members and appreciated for her helpful nature. When her husband is out fishing Rama also helps in making the rattan bindings to be used in various homes.

42 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Preparedness and mitigation amalgamated with income earning mechanism can offer a viable solution.

conditions points towards a lack of interventions Women centric policies in India have been at the grassroot level. The West Bengal disaster based on the premise of women frailties. The management policy writes in its objectives that it mind-set works into the psyche of women too needs to ‘address gender issues in disaster man- when domains are pre-fixed for them. Gender in agement’ but does not move beyond to outline how preparedness at the community level must begin it can be done. The Odisha State Disaster Mange- with the grassroot grouping of women. Pointers ment Policy is vibrant with sections on mitigation and brochures at the policy level indicate the need of gender discrimination; evacuation of women for community led disaster task force and how it and children; identification of women-headed may be formed. But there were no such groups in household and outlines how women groups can Raichak, or for that matter in the Sunderban island build preparedness. However, very little is being of Mousani. There are self help groups though, done on the ground as can be seen from the that align themselves on vocational or income Phailin records. The National Policy on Disaster earning opportunities. These may be accessed by Management (NPDM) talks of building a State making disaster preparedness part of an income Disaster Response Force (SDRF) wherein each earning mechanism, where low cost building ma- state may aim at equipping and training one bat- terials in the post cyclone situation may be one of talion equivalent force which is to include women the marketable skills offered. The women climate- members. But till date women are not part of such warrior groups can then be offered micro-credit a battalion in West Bengal or Odisha, or even and enterprise status to take disaster prepared- Uttarakhand. Let alone the states, the National ness to the next level by changing the ‘god’s wish’ Disaster Response Force too does not deploy any defeatist tag. Thus preparedness and mitigation women in their battalions, citing that rescue and amalgamated with income earning mechanism relief operations are ‘not suitable’ for women. can offer a viable solution. In the recent years India has been battered by During the relief period there is an urgent need various cyclones. It is strange that data (Table 1) to offer responsibilities to women—especially suggests that not one of the battalions had a sig- to women community leaders who can work as nificant number of women in them. Disaster relief primary distributors of emergency rations. This is a sensitive process and needs equally important would help in upholding the dignity of women inputs from women who can work efficiently dur- and stop them from being compromised while ing and in the aftermath of a disaster. It should tackling the double burden of protecting herself be mandated that at least 30 per cent of the force as well as fending for her children. Women should comprise of women if sensitisation needs to be also be made in charge of adequate sanitation incorporated in disaster relief. The reproductive facilities, as safe and clean toilets are imperative health and issues of abuse are better shared with a in an evacuation scenario. The need for organised woman relief worker as compared to men. The fish- gendered approach that takes women’s physical, ing communities in coastal regions have a skewed psychological, social and economic vulnerabili- population ratio, exposing the home-stationed ‘in ties into account at every stage of a disaster—from situ’ women to cyclones or tidal waves. Thus, there preparedness to rehabilitation urgently needs to is an urgent need to incorporate women in relief be put in place not on paper but in reality. work so that vulnerabilities are addressed and redressed with sensitivity. [email protected]

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 43 Disaster perspectives Dhanushkodi A DisAster thAt Wiped Out inDiA’s GeOGraphy

44 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you The ghosT Town of DhanushkoDi, LocaTeD on a TomboLo a LiTTLe beyonD RameswaRam, useD To be inDia’s fuRThesT ouTposT in The inDian ocean. howeveR, The supeR cycLone of 1964 noT onLy wipeD ouT inDia’s hisToRy buT aLso iTs geogRaphy. d Mitra

Photo. Vinod M. [email protected]

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 45 he remnants of Dhanushkodi, declared Dhanushkodi unfit for living. It is now located at the southern tip of the intermittently visited by a handful of fisherfolk. island of Rameswaram on the A tombolo—named Adam’s Bridge, extends eastern coast of India in Tamil from Dhanushkodi into the Gulf of Mannar. Nadu, are about 29 km (18 miles) The sub-basin of the Gulf of Mannar constitutes west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. the south-eastern offshore section of the Cau- The Dhanushkodi railway line, running from very Basin, the southernmost of the Mesozoic TPamban Station, and much of the small town were rift basins along the east coast of India. The late destroyed in the 1964 cyclone. The passenger train Jurassic fragmentation of eastern Gondwanaland with over 115 passengers drowned in the sea on into India, Antarctica, and Australia initiated the the fateful day. Now it is nothing but a ‘ghost town’. formation of Mesozoic rift basins on the eastern Before the 1964 cyclone, Dhanushkodi was a continental margin of India including the Cau- flourishing tourist and pilgrimage centre. Since very Basin. Numerous deep extensional faults Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) is just an hour away, there developed in the NE-SW direction during rifting were many ferry services between Dhanushkodi which initiated active subsidence that resulted in and Talaimannar, transporting travellers and the formation of graben and horst blocks, subdi- goods across the sea. The town was vibrant with viding the Cauvery Basin into many sub-basins hotels, textile shops and dharamshala catering including the Gulf of Mannar (Fig 1) to every need of a traveller. The now defunct A group of professors from Madurai Kamaraj railway line—ran directly from Mandapam to University (MKU) and colleges in the southern Dhanushkodi and had a railway station, a small districts asserted during a 2007 press meet that railway hospital, a higher secondary school, a the Adam’s Bridge was “a geological formation, post office, customs and port offices and more. which took place around 17 million years ago It was here that Swami Vivekananda set foot on Indian soil from Colombo in January 1897 after his triumphant visit to the west to attend the World’s Parliament of Religions held in USA in Fig. 1: Geological map of the Gulf of Mannar September 1893. Cauvery Basin On the night of December 22, train no. 653, the Puduchery

Pamban-Dhanushkodi Passenger, a daily regular Ariyalur-Puduchery Cuddalore Sub-basin service which left Pamban with 110 passengers Portonovo and 5 railway staff, was only a few hundred yards Horst Tranquebar from the Dhanushkodi Railway station when Sub-basin it was hit by a massive tidal wave caused by the Karaikal Horst 1964 super cyclone. The whole train was washed Madanam Horst away, killing all 115 on board. The high tidal waves Nagapatinam Nannilan High Sub-basin moved deep onto the island and ruined the entire Tanjur Sub-basin town. Over 1800 people died in the cyclonic storm, Vedaranniyam and all the structures were marooned. In terms of Horst wind velocity, which touched 150 knots (277 km per hour) at Vavunia in Northern Sri Lanka on the Pattukottai ridge evening of 22 December 1964, the Rameshwaram Mandapam delft ridge cyclone is regarded as one of Asia’s fiercest in the Ramnad 20th century. Eyewitness accounts speak of how Sub-basin Rameswaram the surging waters stopped short of the main Srilanka temple at Rameshwaram where many people had Gulf of Mannar taken refuge from the fury of the storm. Follow- ing this disaster, the Tamil Nadu state government Map not to scale

46 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Old Church at Dhanushkodi

Photo courtesy: A K Mishra

Fig. 2: Landsat imagery of Dhanushkodi. when India and Sri Lanka were detached in a drift. It had been geologically proven that the sand bars were formed at this time”. Udhayana Pillai of the Department of Geology of Chidambaram College, Tuticorin, added during the proceed- ings that the bridge belonged to the Miocene era. S Krishnasamy of Department of Biotechnology of MKU pointed out that human beings reached 2000 Talaimannar and Rameswaram about 50,000 years ago and there was no scientific basis to show that the Adam’s Bridge was man-made as Hindu mythology leads us to believe. The region is highly dynamic because the con- fluence of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal is subject to constant modification. Changes in the 2013 region are evident from multi-temporal satellite imagery (Fig 2). Strong sea currents modify the coastal land forms, as do cyclones and associated storm surges.

The author is Head, Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Department, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, 2014 Dehradun. [email protected]

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 47 Disasters in the year that was Earthquake About 59 per cent of India’s land area is under the threat of moderate to severe earthquake intensity.

Where: Himachal Pradesh, Where: Gangtok, Sikkim Where: Delhi Where: Nicobar Island Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana Earthquake Epicentre: South Delhi, Epicentre: 110 km southeast of and Punjab, Epicentre: about 69 km Depth: 13-16 km Misha, Nicobar Islands Epicentre: Kishtwar town in northwest of Gangtok (27.4o N and When: 11 November, 2013 Depth: 10 km Jammu and Kashmir 88.5o E) Magnitude: Four earthquakes When: 21 March, 2014 Depth: 10 km Depth: 9 km spread over 1 hour 15 mins of Magnitude: 6.7 on Richter scale, When: 1 May 2013 When: October 3, 2013 magnitudes 3.1, 3.3, 2.5, 2.8 followed by severe aftershocks Magnitude: 5.8 on Richter scale Magnitude: 5.2 on Richter scale Cause: Delhi is close to several Cause: The area is part of the Cause: Kashmir lies in the area Cause: The main reason for fault lines below the Yamuna. ‘Ring of Fire’ –an arc of volcanoes of collision of the Eurasian and damage was the shallow depth of Effects: No damage or deaths and fault lines encircling the Indian tectonic plates and is the hypocenter Source: Indian Meteorological Pacific basin; it experiences subject to frequent earthquakes. Effects: Damage to buildings in Department; BBC- November frequent earthquakes and Effects: Tremors induced cracks Gangtok, felt across Darjeeling 12, 2013 volcanic activity in buildings and disruption of and Sikkim Effects: No reported casualties communication systems. Source: Indian Meteorological or damage Source: Indian Meteorological Department; U.S. Geological Source: Indian Meteorological Department; India Today- May Survey Department; Reuters- March 1, 2014 21, 2014 Cyclone The subcontinent is one of the worst affected cyclone regions in the world, exposed to 10 per cent of the world’s tropical cyclones

Phailin hElEn lEhar MaDi Where: Gopalpur, Odisha in the Where: South of Machilipatnam, Where: Machilipatnam, Andhra Where: Crossed near the coast evening hours of October 12 Andhra Pradesh Pradesh twice at Vedaranyam and Tondi, Origin: South China Sea Origin: Bay of Bengal Origin: South China Sea on Tamil Nadu When: 8-14 October, 2013 When: 19-23 November, 2013 November 18 Origin: South-west Bay of Bengal Wind speed: 200-210 kmph Wind speed: 80-90 kmph When: 23-28 November, 2013 When: 6-13 December, 2013 gusting to 220 kmph gusting to 100 kmph Wind speed: 80-90 kmph Magnitude: 45-55 kmph gusting Cause: Remnant cyclonic circula- Cause: The remnant energy of gusting to 100 kmph to 65 kmph tion from the South China Sea Tropical Storm Podul contributed Cause: Remnant of tropical Cause: Low pressure area from Effect: Rainfall and floods. 59 to the formation of the storm Helen depression over south China Sea the south China Sea deaths, nearly 9 lakh people in the Bay of Bengal Effect: No reported damage as it Effect: No reports of significant evacuated in Odisha Effect: Torrential rains, 10 dead, dissipated into a depression by 29 damage or disruption due to the The Odisha government has about 10,000 evacuated, standing November storm, weakened into a depres- estimated the losses at Rs crops damaged. Source: Indian Meteorological sion by the time it reached very 21,770.87 crore. Source: Indian Meteorological Department; India TV- November close to Vedaranyam, Tamil Nadu Source: Indian Meteorological Department, Business Standard- 29, 2013 on December 12. Department, Indian Express- November 24, 2013; Times of Source: Indian Meteorological November 2, 2013; CNN- October India- November 23, 2013 Department; Earthweek- Decem- 14, 2013. ber 13, 2013

48 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Floods The Uttarakhand flood jolted the nation with its ferocity, while the Bihar floods have become an annual fixture.

Uttarakhand disaster Bihar flood Ganjam flood Where: Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Where: Patna, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Where: Odisha’s cyclone-hit Pithoragarh, Pauri and Tehri districts of Munger, Lakhisarai, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Bhojpur, Ganjam district along with some Uttarakhand Saran, Vaishali and Buxar. areas in Gajapati When: 14-17 June, 2013 When: July and August 2013 When: October, 2013 Cause: Very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall Cause: Flooding has been primarily caused by Cause: Incessant rains from 22-26 from 6-18 June, 2013. National Institute of Disaster continuous heavy rainfall in Ganga basins resulting October Management has blamed “climatic conditions excess water in the river Ganga and its tributaries in Effect: 22 lakh people affected, at combined with haphazard human intervention” in Bihar; overflowing embankments in July and August least 47 people have lost their lives. the hills for the disaster. 2013 Source: Zee News- October 25, Effect: The rain caused landslides and increase Effect: More than 44 lakh people in 3,768 villages 2013; The Hindu- October 30, 2013 in levels of water in two main rivers of the State, affected in 20 districts of the state. At least 201 people namely Alaknanda and Bhagirathi; this has resulted died and nearly seven million people have been in ruined infrastructure; estimated 6748 people affected in the floods in 20 districts, and crops in over dead. one lakh hectares worth 150 crore of rupees have Source: Indian Meteorological Department; been destroyed and road communication snapped at euttaranchal- September 3, 2013; Annual Global several places. Climate and Catastrophe Report: Impact Forecast- Source: reliefweb- September 10, 2013 ing, 2013.

hailstOrM Bihar DrOUGht Where: Vidarbha and Marathwada region in Where: 33 districts of Bihar declared drought Maharashtra most affected, Madhya Pradesh hit. Others and a few districts of Karnataka and Rajasthan When: Kharif season - July to October also affected Cause: 25 per cent less rainfall at 668.6 mm BarrEn islanD vOlCanO, inDia’s Only When: Began on 22nd February, continued as as compared to the annual average rainfall of aCtivE vOlCanO rain and hailstorm for about a fortnight. 892.2 mm Where: Andaman islands archipelago Cause: The hailstorms developed as a Effect: Fall in the paddy sowing, depletion of When: February 2013; October 2013; response to hot, damp air from Bay of Bengal underground water table, cattle rearing and December 2013, February 2014 as well as Arabian Sea, rising and meeting the employment generation have taken a hit Effect: An ash plume rising to 20,000 ft (6 cold air coming south from the Himalayas, Funds from the National Disaster Response km) altitude and drifting 120 nautical miles to which led to formation of huge hail. Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response the south-west was reported in February. In Effect: 28 people dead, 38 farmer suicides. Force (SDRF) were mobilised October the ash plume rose 12,000 ft (3.6 km) 17.7 lakh hectares of agricultural land Source: The Hindu- September 18, 2013 and drifted 15 nautical miles to the north-west. spanning across 28 districts had been hit by Intermittent activity was observed in February the hailstorm and more than 50 per cent crops 2014. were damaged. Source: Volcano discovery- Feb 4, 2014; Dec Source: Indian Express- March 20, 2014; The 23,15, 2013; Oct 16,17, 2013; Feb 17, 2013 Hindu- March 20, SANDRP- March 11, 2014

KUMBh MEla staMPEDE Bihar MiD-Day MEal POisOninG tirUMala firE Where: Allahabad railway station Where: Primary school in the village of Where: Seshachalam forest When: 10 February, 2013 Dharmashati Gandaman in the Saran district of When: Seshachalam fire began on 18th March Cause: According to initial reports, a broken the Indian state of Bihar 2014, doused by 22nd March 2014. railing at the station caused the stampede. Eye- When: 16 July, 2013 Cause: Could have been caused by pilgrims’ witnesses claimed the stampede was triggered Cause: Contaminated mid-day meal cooking fire or by red sandalwood smugglers after policemen lathi charged the crowd Effect: Government records say 22 children Effect: About 1400 hectare of forest land Effect: 36 killed, at least 39 injured died, 23 others and the cook hospitalised. burned, no loss of human lives Source: Reuters- February 11, 2013 Villagers claim total fatalities 27. Source: AP forest department; TTD officials Source: Times of India- July 18, 2013;

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 49 First report Disaster

50 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you The Tirumala

The fire in the Seshachalam forest in Chittoor district, Andhra FirePradesh destroyed 1300-1400 hectares of forest land belonging to Andhra Pradesh, and about 100 hectares of forest land belonging to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Staff Reporter

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 51 fter deforestation, care of while the fire in the state provisions, a minimum fine of forest fires are the forest continued to burn. By the rs 500, imprisonment up to six First report most important cause morning of the 19th, the fire had months or both will be imposed in Disaster of habitat destruction. spread to a much larger area of case a person sets fire to a reserved A forest. the Wildlife protection Act Forest fires are worldwide seasonal the state forest. the state officials occurrences, and can be prevented contacted the Forest Department at 1972 ups the ante by identifying a by adequate measures; they usually the Centre, and by the time a crisis fine of rs 25,000, imprisonment occur in the dry months from management group, comprising for a maximum of three years or March to May in india when there of secretary level officials from both in case of fires caused in a is no rain and dry leaves and twigs the National Disaster relief Force, sanctuary or reserved forest. litter the forest floor. Alerts are Ministry of environment and way forward: provided by the National remote Forest, and the Army, Navy and Air Considering the fact that the region sensing Centre, Hyderabad to the Force devised a plan, the fire had is flushed with funds, tirupathi Central forest departments, which spread to the crown canopy. being the most sought after are then sent to the respective state A two pronged strategy was religious destination of the nation, forest departments. used to fight the fire. Ground protecting mount tirulmala’s The incidenT: the fire in forces–consisting of primarily the evergreen forests should have seshachalam was noticed by the fire fighting personnel from the been a cakewalk. Yet, not only tirumala tirupati Devasthanam state department and the Army, were the state forces pulled into (ttD) officials on the 18th of were deployed to attack the fire action, the central government March in a part of their forest, in the lower reaches. on 20th and even the army was involved though satellite images show that March, two Mi-17 helicopters in fire dousing. the lowly terrains the fire actually broke out on the were pressed into service to douse of Bihar’s Himalayan tract might 17th. s B L Misra, the special the fire which had reached tree not beget this haloed treatment; principal Chief Conservator of tops. the helicopters undertook everything turning officially Forests, Andhra pradesh, said 20-22 sorties with water from ‘inaccessible’ in such realms. that the alerts are published on the papavinasham Dam, which is the protection of forests the website of the state forest about 0.5 km away, with a 3000 from fires is a task that can be department and can be accessed lt specialised fire fighting bucket easily ordained. First, equipment by the forest officials. “it is difficult attached to each helicopter. this and qualified personnel can to say whether the alert for this helped control the fire, but it was be employed for keeping the particular fire was received by not extinguished. the operation vigil—instant action can the concerned officials,” he continued till the 21st March, avoid time lags. there must be said. Janik ramaiyya, the forest when it was finally extinguished. adequate preparedness measures ranger of ttD, said, “sandalwood the quick response by the Central for dry seasons and reliable smugglers set the forest on fire in forces–NDrF, civil defence, armed communication and mobility order to divert attention and the forces–helped put out the raging mechanisms must be put in place. high wind velocity spread the fire fire, but the cause is currently setting up control rooms, which far and wide.” under investigation as is the receive data from satellites and Consequently, the ttD assessment of the damage. digital maps, already common in officials extinguished the fire in LegaL provisions: several countries, can be used their section of the forest; ttD setting a forest on fire, or even to outline forest zones. Also, fire has its own fire fighting squad of leaving a fire burning near a forest lines—artificially created gaps in 30-40 members, employed as is a punishable offence according the forest, which may be divided daily wage workers. According the forest protection rules of india. into grids of 2-2.5 km, should be to a high placed official in the sections 26, 33 and 79 of the created during the dry season as Central government, only the indian Forest Act 1927 deal with these are simple mechanism that fire in the ttD forest was taken fires in reserve forests. Under its can check the advance of a fire.

52 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Fire towers must be adequately the undergrowth can double up as identified as ‘maximum damage manned, and controlled burning forest roads. Moreover, equipment areas’. Forest fires can also be should be carried out to check like fire beaters to control minor prevented by restricting the entry forest floor litter. people around fires and JCBs to cut the branches of common public during the dry the forest boundaries can be to restrict the spread of the fire season and watch towers manned employed through shramdaan-like must be made available. the dense to have an unobstructed view. And, schemes to regularly clear the fire areas of the forest which cannot all of these can be enabled, atleast lines. Fire lines when cleared of be reached on ground can be for this region, by the ttD. India’s bee industry calls for attention With inadequate training, poor pest management, and lack of quality marketing facilities, the 60 million USD honey industry’s growth is hampered. With a potential for annual exports growth pegged at 20 per cent, honey can be a good income source for agriculturists.

decade ago, agriculture is his main source of region and they are larger in size Kuntanahalli, a village income. He seems to be well aware compared to ApisCerana. Also, in Doddabalapur taluk, of the reasons for the decline. “the they can travel a longer distance Alocated 55 kms to the bees are not getting enough food. compared to the latter that can North West of Bangalore, was the loss of vegetation, the lesser fly to just about 2 kms in search laden with bountiful produce cultivation of high-nectar yielding of nectar. it is estimated that throughout the year. As the flower varieties, and excessive two-third of the honey produced in Doddabalur town changed into a use of toxic pesticides are some india comes from the ApisDorsata small industrial hub, the villagers of the reasons. this also results in species. started selling agricultural land reduction of honeybees to pollinate Dr N s Bhat, senior scientist, while many quit farming. this in crops,” Gowda said. However, Department of Apiculture, turn severely affected the apiary this has not deterred Gowda from University of Agricultural sciences, activity in the region. Lakshman becoming a model farmer who GKVK, Bangalore says, honey bees Gowda, 51, a marginal farmer in now trains other villagers for are not resistant to most pesticides Kuntanahalli recalls yields of 10-12 a secondary livelihood option sprayed to save crops. “Many bees kgs of honey per year, per beehive through beekeeping. He earns are killed by (toxic) pesticides, box, a decade ago, from the about rs one lakh annually just resulting in reduced yield of crops ApisCerana, an Asiatic honeybee through honey production. dependent on bee pollination. in variety suitable for domestication. Another farmer, Medappa particular, the beehives cannot However, today, it yields him just Gowda from Madikeri, a hill survive in the cotton and red gram one third (3-4 kgs) with the same station town in Karnataka, cites growing regions as excessive variety in the same place. deforestation as the reason for pesticides are used for these two Gowda, a third-generation the decline in honey production. crops.” apiculturist, practices beekeeping ApisDorsata, known as rock bees According to the ‘standing as a secondary activity, where are usually found in the forest Committee report (Goi) on

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 53 Fig. 1: Top 10 natural honey exporting country

First report 250000 Countries Argentina China 200000 Agriculture Germany 150000 New Zealand source: ApeDA Mexico 100000 Spain Canada Value in (‘000USD) 50000 India Hungary ApisCerana 0 Year 2012 Brazil domesticated for honey production Chemical and Fertilizer’, 2013, Ministry of Commerce and at the University presented in the Lok sabha by industry, Goi, authorised the of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. the Ministry of Chemicals and Agricultural and processed Food Fertilizers, Goi, there seems to be a products export Development silver lining in the consumption of Authority (ApeDA) to monitor the and firms) with more than 10 chemical pesticides in Karnataka, quality of honey and check for registered bee colonies. According which has reportedly declined residues of drugs (antibiotics), to the Ministry of Micro, small & from 1,588 metric tones in terms of pesticides, and heavy metals Medium enterprises, in 2012-13 technical grade in 2007-08 to 1272 in raw honey; at the honey india produced a total of 0.92 metric tonnes in 2011-12. Also processing unit; and in processed/ lakh metric tonnes of honey. heartwarming is the fact that the packaged honey. in 2011, Meanwhile, it was 1.12 lakh use of bio-pesticides across the european economic Commission metric tonnes during 2010-11 country, including Karnataka has (eeC) banned the import of indian and 0.84 during 2011-12. Uttar increased from a mere 123 metric honey for 18 months until strong pradesh, Bihar, rajasthan, tonnes in 1994-95 to 8,110 metric quality control measures were punjab, Arunachal pradesh and tonnes in 2011-12. put in place. Maintaining quality Karnataka are among the top honey Dr Bhat cites other reasons and checking for standards is producing states. which are hampering the growth a concern even in the domestic there is vast potential for and production of honey in the market. standards for honey have beekeeping in the country and country. “increasing cost of been prescribed under prevention india is one of the major exporting beehive box, inadequate and of Food Adulteration (pFA) rules, countries of natural honey. unsystematic training programmes, 1955 as under. According to ApeDA export and lack of quality control ■ No pesticide residues or report-2012, india ranks at number measures are an impediment to the antibiotics are allowed in honey. 8, exporting around 25,000 metric growth of the honey industry,” Bhat ■ Moisture level -not more than tonnes of honey to countries like said. “the present training modules 25 per cent by mass ■ Acidity Us, Germany, Japan, France and (for beekeeping) of the government (expressed as formic acid)- Not saudi Arabia, earning revenue of are nothing but awareness more than 0.2 per cent by mass 66.8 million UsD. india’s honey programmes. there need to be a ■ Lead- Not more than 2.5 ppm exports contribute to around 4 per more concentrated effort to engage ■ Copper- Not more than 30.0 cent of the world exports. (Fig 1) young farmers and train them ppm ■ Mercury- Not more than According to ApeDA, the honey adequately to suit the change in 1.0 ppm (*ppm - parts per million) exports have registered a growth living environment,” Bhat added. there are around seven lakh of 11 per cent during 2012-13 and selection of good apiary sites, registered beekeepers in india. have the potential to grow at 20 per breeding of good quality bees, and According to the National Bee cent annually if the quality controls proper beehive management are Board, Government of india, as are maintained and the resource key elements to ensure success in on 31 July, 2013, there were 6.97 potentials are exploited. beekeeping. lakh beekeepers (individuals, Dr V sivaram, Associate the Department of Commerce, beekeeping societies, companies professor, Department of Botany,

54 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you notes that, lack of knowledge of the farmers to use pesticides scientific beekeeping management that are less harmful to bees at practices, shortage of trained recommended concentrations.” and qualified manpower, lack of to have a sustainable livelihood coordination between beekeeping through beekeeping, sivaram r & D organisations /universities in recommends capacity building south Asia, insufficient man power and awareness programmes, for multiplication and distribution preparation of extensive floral of bee colonies, are the main calendars for different ecological constraints of beekeeping industry. zones, encouragement for Dr t p rajendran, Assistant migratory beekeeping practices Director General (plant protection), for higher honey production and indian Council of Agricultural organising regular honey festivals, Bangalore University, in his research, also a member of the seminars and conferences to report, ‘status, prospects and National Bee Board said, “the create awareness among farmers, strategies for development of Board is undertaking training beekeepers and honey traders. organic beekeeping in south Asian programmes to bridge the story and photo Prabhu M countries’, 2012, published in knowledge gap, handle diseases Apiservices, the beekeeping portal, and pests and also persuading Organic farming in Vidarbha A cost benefit analysis of organic cotton farming vs Bt cotton farming in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra reveals that the former is cost effective, more profitable and high-yielding. But, not many farmers prefer organic farming due to lack of governmental support.

or this septuagenarian of cotton farmers is common in the Table 1a: State wise cotton farmer, practicing organic Vidarbha region - and Maniklal’s area (lakh ha) farming is a way of life. reticence to discuss the issue is State 2003-04 2007-08 2012-13 punjab 4.52 6.04 5.06 At 76, Maniklal Mantri, perplexing. “technology has made F Haryana 5.26 4.83 6.14 starts work at 8 in the morning people lazy. organic farming is a rajasthan 3.44 3.69 4.50 traveling around 12 km on his laborious task and hence it drives NORTH ZONE 13.32 14.56 15.70 Gujarat 16.47 24.22 24.00 gearless-two-wheeler to reach people away. Nobody wants to Maharashtra 27.66 31.95 41.46 his farm, a borrowed tract of land collect gomutra (cow urine) and Madhya pradesh 5.91 6.30 6.08 near his village in Utkhed located use it to control bollworms. people CENTRAL ZONE 50.04 62.47 71.54 Andhra pradesh 8.37 11.33 22.69 at Morshi taluka of Amravati care less about soil fertility and Karnataka 3.13 4.03 4.85 District in Maharashtra. Although environmental degradation,” he tamil Nadu 1.03 0.99 1.26 farmer suicides in Amravati district says. Maniklal, who claims to have SOUTH ZONE 12.53 16.35 27.76 odisha 0.50 1.19 have dropped to 159 in 2013 as trained over 15,000 farmers on others 0.51 0.26 0.50 compared to 270 in 2006, suicide organic agriculture, crestfallenly TOTAL 76.30 94.14 117.73

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 55 notes that not more than a handful accounts for 74 per cent of the encouraged,” Kavitha Kuruganti of of them practice it. world’s organic cotton produce. Alliance for sustainable and First report BTB coTTon MarkeT: A German research Holistic Agriculture opines. in a Agriculture indiai is overwhelmingly a Bt institute of organic agriculture, study conducted in Vidharbha Cotton country today. According Forschungsinstitut für region by our reporter, the profits to the Central institute of Cotton biologischen Landbau (FiBL) accrued to farmers cultivating researchr annual report of 2013, notes that the large scale Bt Cotton organic cotton were found to with the commercial release of Bt adaption across india and the be more than that of farmers hybrids in 2002, around 92 per non-GM seed unavailability poses cultivating Bt Cotton. cent of the total cotton area of a threat hindering the growth of table 2 clearly shows that the 117.73 lakh hectares are under Bt organic cultivation. cost of the cultivation in the case as of last year. india continued to farM scenario: When of organic cultivation is lesser and maintain the largest area under the farmers who complain of profits higher with better yield. cotton and is the second largest dwindling productivity with the Bt the yield of the farmer using Bt producer of cotton next to China varieties were posed a question Cotton seed in the rainfed areas with 34 per cent of world area and as to why they do not practice is reduced by half compared to 21 per cent of world production. organic farming, they replied, “we organic cultivation. Also, while Bt india produced around 356 lakh do not have information about Cotton farmers are running into bales in 2013 as compared to organic farming and indigenous losses, organic farmers are making mere 179 lakh bales in 2003- seeds are not available in the a profit of rs 25,350 for the same 04. As per the estimates of the local seed market.” some are period. Cotton Advisory Board, Ministry unaware of the subsidies given for A Monsanto (Us based of textiles, the area under cotton organic farming. the government agricultural biotechnology production has seen a steady schemes and policies promoting corporation that stock Bt Cotton rise since 2003-04, increasing organic farming have not reached seeds) official, however, claims from 76.30 lakh hectares to 118 them. “Farmers are not given a that the variation in yield could lakh hectares in 2012-13 (table choice. Desi seeds are out of the be because the farmers have not 1a,b & c). According to the textile market and are not sold in the maintained the best practices. exchange Farm and Fibre report, seed distribution centres. organic “even a change in the plant 2012, india is the world’s biggest cultivation is a sustainable way population size (number of plants producer of organic cotton and of life and it should be in a given area), excessive use of

Table 1b: State wise cotton Table 1c: State wise cotton production (lakh bales) productivity (kg/ha) State 2003-04 2007-08 2012-13 State 2003-04 2007-08 2012-13 “the productivity is punjab 10.35 20.00 19.00 punjab 389.27 562.91 562.02 higher in the Northern Haryana 11.50 15.00 24.00 Haryana 371.67 527.95 689.62 region compared to Central and southern rajasthan 9.15 9.00 16.00 rajasthan 452.18 414.63 632.79 region because, cotton NORTH ZONE 31.00 44.00 59.00 NORTH ZONE 398.64 513.74 630.83 cultivation is predomi- Gujarat 50.00 110.00 85.00 Gujarat 516.09 772.09 688.51 nantly on irrigated land Maharashtra 31.00 62.00 74.00 Maharashtra 190.53 329.89 305.30 in North and the Bt Madhya pradesh 19.65 20.00 18.00 Madhya pradesh 565.23 539.68 433.33 varieties perform better CENTRAL ZONE 100.65 192.00 177.00 CENTRAL ZONE 341.94 522.49 461.71 on irrigated lands. Also, Andhra pradesh 27.40 46.00 72.00 Andhra pradesh 556.51 690.20 506.96 they are not subjected to Karnataka 4.20 8.00 12.00 Karnataka 228.12 337.47 430.35 moisture stress unlike tamil Nadu 3.75 4.00 5.00 tamil Nadu 618.93 686.87 831.33 in Central and south,” SOUTH ZONE 35.35 58.00 89.00 SOUTH ZONE 479.61 603.06 507.03 —Blaise Desouza, odisha 3.00 odisha 0.00 417.57 principal scientist & others 1.00 1.00 2.00 INDIA 398.82 554.39 496.39 Head, Division of Crop TOTAL 168.00 295.00 330.00 production, Central institute for Cotton Loose cotton 11.00 12.00 26.10 Note: 2011-12 and 2012-13 are provisional; research. GRAND TOTAL 179.00 307.00 356.10 source: Cotton Advisory Board as on 23:01:2013

56 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Table 2: Cost benefit analysis 2012, Vidarbha, Maharashtra but, he said, lack of resourceful FIeld Study MOnSantO’S claIM support from the government Hybrid Bt Cotton Non Bt Hybrid Bt Cotton seeds makes him hesitant to practice (organic) it. “somebody in the government irrigated rainfed Non irrigated rainfed irrigated needs to guide me. otherwise, it Farmer Govardan Manohar Maniklal is difficult for me to believe.” With Gulaxe Gulaxe Mantri dwindling profits, Gulaxe said, Village pimpalkhuta pimpalkhuta Utkhed Variety rashi ii Ankur 09 NH 416 people in the village have resorted Distance between plants 7 inch 4-5 inch 6 inch to selling land and he assists them Land preparation 1,300.00 1,950.00 1,950.00 2,700.00 2,700.00 in selling it for a marginal profit. (includes ploughing, cleaning stubbles, har- in contrast, Dr. M V Venugopalan, rowing, levelling, ridges principal scientist at Central and furrows, etc.) institute of Cotton research, Manual (labour+cart) (650*2) - (500+1450) Mechanised (650*2) (650*3) - -- Nagpur says, the demand for the (tractor+labour) organic seeds has to come from sowing (manual) 500 500 500 452 455 the farming communities and seed treatment cost 0 0 200 - - only then can they produce more Cotton seeds 2325 2850 420 1,543.00 1,583.00 varieties and sell in the market. travel cost to obtain seeds 80 80 80 - - intercultivation/prepar- 800 800 400 - - “We cannot simply produce ing of bunds organic seeds when there are no Fertilizers 65001 48002 13503 3,019.00 2,451.00 buyers. it is more of a local issue Labour cost for fertilizer 1000 1000 1500 1,000.00 1,000.00 application and farming communities have to irrigation (water+power) 1000 - - 500 - work in groups and believe in the total cost of weeding 5250 5000 4000 3,279.00 2,700.00 concept of organic farming during Labour+weedicide the transition phase of three years. sucking pest labour 1800 1000 - 1,145.00 1,780.00 only then can we produce more insecticide sprays/ 4200 3000 150 organic matters such seeds,” Venugopalan said. Micro-nutrient spray 360 500 - 183 500 Mantri, who is a great follower Yield/ acre 10 5 10 7 7 of Gandhian principles calls for Labour-picking rate / 600 700 300 345 800 quintal farmers to care for the environment total cost for picking 6000 3500 3000 2,415.00 5,600.00 and practice organic farming. transportation charges 1500 750 1000 - - “the process might be laborious, to market but organic cultivation supports Commission 1000 500 100 - - sustainable farm practices and total cost of cultivation 30,455.00 24,730.00 14,650.00 16,236.00 18,769.00 (rs. / ac) helps in reducing contamination Average market rate 3,800.00 3,800.00 4,000.00 3,900.00 3,900.00 of the earth and increases the (rs. / qtl.) quality of our health.” the state total revenue (rs. / ac) 38,000.00 19,000.00 40,000.00 27,300.00 27,300.00 of Andhra pradesh and Karnataka income/ loss 7,545.00 -5,730.00 25,350.00 11,064.00 8,531.00 have seen a sharp rise in the area 1. DAp 3 bags rs 3750, potash 4 bags rs 1800, Urea rs 600, Magnesium rs 350 2. DAp 2 bags rs 2500, potash 3 bags rs 1350, Urea rs 600, Magnesium rs 350 3. Jeevamruth rs 150, Jaivik Jal rs under Bt Cotton cultivation since 100, 2 kg Jaggery rs 100, Cow dung (6 stages) rs 1000 2003-04 followed by Maharashtra Note: Cost calculated for Kharif 2012; Field study was undertaken during February 2013. and Gujarat in the Central region. in fact, Andhra’s whopping 170 fertilizer and other aspects can p, regional sales manager of per cent increase under Bt Cotton affect the yield. if the organic Monsanto (solapur region) said. draws attention to the fact that variety is yielding higher profits, Govardan Gulaxe, a Bt Cotton failure of Bt Cotton may spell doom nobody is stopping the farmers farmer, is keen to make good for many. from practicing it,” srikant profits through organic farming; story and photo Prabhu M

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 57 First report Karnataka bans Agriculture Mahyco seeds

Mahyco, one of the largest private sector seed companies in India, faces a ban following the sale of spurious Bt Cotton seeds to farmers. Karnataka failed to recognise early warnings and now over 54,000 farmers are put to distress.

hennappa the crop on his eight acres of land, GoK, claims that it is not directly Channabasappa at 4 per cent interest rate from involved either in recommending Gudli, 57, a farmer a grameen bank. As on date, he any particular Bt Cotton hybrids, cultivating cotton has not been able to repay the or in the sales - farmers select the crop for the past loan. Like Gudli, several farmers seed variety as per their choice. C12 years in shiggaon taluk of across various districts of the state the Department only maintains Haveri district in North Karnataka, witnessed similar incidents. they the quality control aspects. the predominantly a rainfed region, have joined hands and are seeking seed supply agencies are required suffered a huge set back with his action against the Company as the to supply the literature containing cotton crop yield reducing to less seeds failed to give anything close specific features of crops/varieties, than one third during Kharif 2013. to the promised yields. cultivation practices to be followed Buoyed by the higher returns the state Agricultural during the previous years, Gudli Department officials swung into bought 8 packets of Kanaka action to check the quality of the varieties of Bt Cotton seed sold seeds (MrC- 7351 and Nikki plus), by the Maharashtra Hybrid seeds and formed field inspection teams Company (Mahyco) at a premium comprising officials from the of 30 per cent on the maximum revenue Department, Agricultural retail price of rs 930 per packet Department, Mahyco and of 450 gms. “i did not foresee any scientists from state agricultural foul play in the seed sale during universities. “the Bt Cotton the initial days. However, as hybrids sold by Mayhco failed to days passed and the pest attack give the expected yields during According to the increased, the expenses with Kharif 2013. the company has Agriculture Department, spraying pesticides increased too, clearly violated the instructions Government of Karnataka affecting the plant growth.” Gudli given by Government of india at (GoK) officials, during said. At the end of the season, the time of issue of permission of Kharif 2013, Mahyco had instead of getting 10-12 quintals commercial sale. Hence we are sold 5.63 lakh packets of MRC-7351 and Nikki Plus of cotton per acre as expected imposing a ban on sale of such Bt Cotton hybrid seeds by him based on previous years’ seeds,” B K Dharmarajan, Director in Karnataka which was yield, Gudli got only three quintal of Department of Agriculture, cultivated in 1.39 lakh this year. to his plight, Guldi has (GoK) said. hectares and 0.12 lakh incurred a loan of rs two lakh (at deparTMenT’s roLe: hectares, respectively. rs 25,000 per acre) to cultivate the Department of Agriculture,

58 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you indicates that MrC-7351 has tolerance for sucking pests, but under field observation, this variety was found to be more susceptible to sucking pest compared to other Bt hybrids grown under the same set of field conditions. Also MrC-7351 was more susceptible to mirid bug and cotton midge…,” the report said. post these findings, the Agriculture Department, GoK, blacklisted the company. exTenT of daMage. As per the findings of the committee comprising of agricultural experts and deputy commissioners of all seven affected districts, it was observed The Bt Cotton that 58,195 hectares of Bt Cotton hybrids sold by area have suffered crop yield loss Mayhco failed to give of more than 50 per cent covered the expected yields during Kharif 2013 in 1983 villages involving 54,157 farmers in 7 districts of Haveri, Belgaum, Davangere, Chitradurga, by farmers, yield potentiality, 2014, banning the sale of Bt Cotton Dharwad, Bellary and Gadag. tolerance or resistance for different seeds by Mayhco, based on the “Mahyco is solely responsible pests and diseases for the benefit scrutiny report submitted by the for the lapses observed in the of farmers committee formed to ascertain field study. they have offered a LegaL provisions: the lapses, notes a number of compensation of rs 10 crores As per section 7 of the seed Act, irregularities which include: as against the estimated loss 1966, and rule 7 of seed rules ■ Variation in the shape and size of rs 230 crores. However the 1968, the seed supplying company of the cotton bolls (not as per the state government has refused is responsible for the accuracy of characteristic defined) the compensation. instead, it has the details contained in the label ■ Contains less number of bolls decided to pay farmers rs 6,000 (packet). While the said variety of ■ plant were different from each per ha compensation which could seed is expected to perform in the other and also different from that of cost more than rs 35 crore to the fields as per the details of the label, MrC-7351 state exchequer,” Dharmarajan every seed company is required to ■ the company failed to conduct said. this is not the first time the display a label regarding minimum any awareness campaign or company is facing trouble. it had germination percentage, genetic training programmes for effective encountered similar problems in purity and other aspects on the pest management. Andhra pradesh and Maharashtra. seed containers. this apart, the order also in 2012, Maharashtra banned irreguLariTies stated that the literature issued Mahyco’s Bt Cotton seeds on reveaLed in The along with the seed containers charges of hoarding of seeds, inspecTion reporT: was misleading. “the literature black marketing, and for providing the order issued by the Agriculture published and supplied along with incorrect information. Department, GoK, on 22 March the seed containers by Mahyco story and photo Prabhu M

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 59 Report watch Status of Disaster Management in India Disaster management in India has undergone substantive changes in its composition, nature and policy. The Disaster Management Act, 2005, provides for setting up of a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), amongst various other provisions. The 2014 Parliamentary Standing Committee Report cites that the Authority, however, is not functioning optimally and is in urgent need of a new action plan.

ndia’s hazard profile is dependent on from landslides and avalanches. Approximately the geo-climatic conditions and topo- 71 per cent (5300 km) of the 7516 km long coast graphic features, and the underlying of India is susceptible to cyclones. Andaman and vulnerabilities cause annual disasters Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil of varying degrees like floods, droughts, Nadu and Puducherry are affected periodically cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, land- due to cyclones. According to the annual report slides, avalanches and forest fire in the country. It (2012-13) of Ministry of Home Affairs, out of 35 isI estimated that about 59 per cent of India’s land states and union territories in the country, 27 are area is prone to earthquakes and the Himalayas disaster prone. and adjoining areas, northeast, parts of Gujarat The livelihood security of the coastal communi- and Andaman Nicobar Islands are seismically ties and ecological security of the coastal zones of most active. According to the Natural Disaster India are already under stress due to high popula- Management Division of the Ministry of Agri- tion density, rapid urbanisation and industrial culture, GoI, 33 per cent of India’s area receives development, high rate of coastal environmental rainfall less than 750 mm making it chronically degradation and frequent occurrence of natural drought prone, while 35 per cent receives rain- disasters such as cyclones and storms. The prob- fall between 750-1125 mm and is assigned the lem is going to be further aggravated by a rise in drought prone status—thus a total of 68 per cent sea level due to global warming. The coastal zone area of the country is prone to drought in varying in India, particularly the east coast is vulnerable degrees. Out of 40 million hectares of flood prone to hydrometeorological hazards such as cyclones, area in the county, around 7.5 million hectares floods and geophysical hazards like the tsunami. are affected every year by recurring floods. While flood occurs in almost all river basins in India, Classifying Disasters large parts of states such as Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Disasters are classified as ‘natural’, or ‘human- Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are affected induced’. For example, disasters caused by floods, almost every year. About 12 per cent land is prone droughts, tidal waves and earth tremors are to flood and river erosion; and hilly areas are at risk generally considered natural. Disasters caused by

60 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you Development cannot be sustainable unless disaster mitigation is built into the development process. Therefore, ‘disaster management’ is not confined to ‘disaster response’ alone.

chemical or industrial accidents, environmental The Disaster Management Act pollution, transport accidents and political unrest The Indian government has enacted the Disaster are classified as ‘human induced’ since they are Management (DM) Act in 2005 which defines the direct result of human action. A modern and disaster as “a catastrophe, mishap, calamity social understanding of disasters, however, views or grave occurrence in any area, arising from this distinction as artificial since most disasters natural or man-made causes, or by accident or result from the action or inaction of people and negligence which results in substantial loss of life their social and economic structures. Fire inci- or human suffering or damage to, and destruc- dents, industrial accidents and other manmade tion of property, or damage to, or degradation of, disasters involving chemical, biological and environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude radioactive materials are additional hazards due as to be beyond the coping capacity of the com- to socio- economic factors. Due to the fast pace of munity of the affected area”. urbanisation, modernisation and industrialisa- tion, India is considerably vulnerable to various Institutional Mechanism man-made disasters and the threats of manmade The Disaster Management Act, 2005 lays down and technological disasters have also increased the institutional mechanism for drawing up and substantially as modern industrial units are monitoring the implementation of the disaster processing, storing and transporting hazardous management plans, ensuring measures by vari- chemicals and hazardous materials. ous wings of the government for prevention and mitigation of the effects of disasters and prompt Need for Mitigation response to any disaster situation. The Ministry All these disasters underscore the need for of Home Affairs constituted a task force to gather strengthening mitigation, preparedness and information from the states and other stakehold- response measures. The high disaster risk and ers on their perception in implementation of the exposure of millions of people in India makes it Disaster Management Act 2005, to study the imperative that a national campaign on mission global best practices, to hold consultations with mode is launched to strengthen disaster prepar- stakeholders and to suggest necessary modi- edness, prevention and mitigation efforts in India. fications, if any, in the Act. The said task force According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the submitted its report, and its recommendations are basic responsibility for undertaking rescue, relief under consideration of the government. and rehabilitation measures in the event of a dis- The Act also provides for setting up of National aster rests with the state governments. The Central Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under government supplements the efforts of the state by the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, state dis- providing logistic and financial support in case aster management authorities (SDMAs) under the of severe natural calamities. The government has chairmanship of chief ministers and district disas- brought about a change in the approach to disaster ter management authorities (DDMAs) under the management from a relief-centric to a holistic and chairmanship of collectors/ district magistrates/ integrated approach covering the entire gamut of deputy commissioners. The Act further provides disasters encompassing prevention, mitigation, for the constitution of a National Executive Com- preparedness, response, relief, reconstruction and mittee (NEC), headed by Union Home Secretary, rehabilitation. The approach is based on the con- the National Institute of Disaster Management viction that development cannot be sustainable (NIDM) and National Disaster Response Force unless disaster mitigation is built into the develop- (NDRF). It also provides for the concerned min- ment process. Therefore, ‘disaster management’ is istries and departments to draw up their own not confined to ‘disaster response’ alone. disaster management plans in accordance with the

Geography and You . March-April 2014 61 national plan. The Act also provides for a specific the Indian government in accordance with the role for local bodies in disaster management. National Plan; ■ Lay down guidelines to be fol- The beginnings of an institutional structure for lowed by the state authorities in drawing up the disaster management can be traced to the Brit- state plan; ■ Lay down guidelines to be followed ish period following the series of disasters such by the different ministries or departments of the as famines of 1900, 1905, 1907 and 1943, and the Indian government for the purpose of integrat- Bihar-Nepal earthquake of 1937. Over the past cen- ing the measures for prevention of disaster or the tury, disaster management in India has undergone mitigation of its effects in their development plans substantive changes in its composition, nature and and projects; ■ Coordinate the enforcement and policy. During the British administration, relief implementation of the policy and plan for disaster departments were set up for emergencies during management; ■ Recommend provision of funds disasters. Such an activity-based setup with a reac- for the purpose of mitigation; ■ Provide such sup- tive approach was functional only during the post port to other countries affected by major disasters disaster scenarios. The policy was relief-oriented as may be determined by the Central government; and activities included designing the relief codes ■ Take such other measures for the prevention of and initialising food for work programmes. Post- disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and Independence, the task for managing disasters capacity building for dealing with the threatening continued to rest with the relief commissioners in disaster situation or disaster as it may consider each state, who functioned under the central relief necessary, and; ■ Lay down broad policies and commissioner, with their role limited to delegation guidelines for the functioning of the NIDM. of relief material and money in the affected areas. Every five-year plan addressed flood disasters nDMa’s failures under ‘Irrigation, Command Area Development The 2014 parliamentary Standing Committee is and Flood Control’. The disaster management surprised that despite NDMA being constituted structure was thus activity-based and functioned in 2006 under the Disaster Management Act, under relief departments. 2005, it has not framed its business rules pertain- A permanent and institutionalised setup ing to internal conduct of NDMA and it is only began during 1990s with the set up of a disaster after the observation of Comptroller and Auditer management cell under the Central Ministry General (C&AG) that in an internal meeting of of Agriculture, following the declaration of the NDMA a decision was taken to follow the provi- decade of 1990 as the ‘International Decade for sions of Manual of Office Procedure of the Indian Natural Disaster Reduction’ (IDNDR) by the Government. UN General Assembly. Following a series of The c&aG in its report observed that the Dis- disasters such as Latur Earthquake (1993), Malpa aster Management Act provided for the NDMA Landslide (1994), Orissa Super Cyclone (1999) to constitute an advisory committee consisting and Bhuj Earthquake (2001), a committee under of experts in the field of disaster management, the chairmanship of J C Pant, Secretary, Ministry having practical experience of disaster manage- of Agriculture was constituted for drawing up a ment at the national, state or district level to make systematic, comprehensive and holistic approach recommendations on different aspects of disaster towards disasters. There was a shift in policy from management. The advisory committee with 12 an approach of relief through financial aid to a members was constituted in June 2007, the term holistic one for addressing disaster management. being initially fixed for a period of two years fol- Consequently, the disaster management division lowed by an extension of a year which expired was shifted to the Ministry of Home Affairs and on 14 June 2010. NDMA functioned without the a hierarchical structure for disaster management services of the advisory committee thereafter. evolved in India. Thec&aG made its observation that the Work- ing Group of Planning Commission in December the role of nDMa 2006 recommended various projects to be taken The NDMA is mandated to perform the following up by NDMA during the 11th Five Year Plan for functions: disaster management categorised as: ■ Approve the National Plan; ■ Approve plans ■ Projects on vulnerability assessment and prepared by the ministries or departments of microzonation of major cities; ■ Mitigation

62 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you in cases of disasters of severe magnitude, nDMa should recommend relief in repayment of loans or for grant of fresh loans to the persons affected by disasters .

Projects; ■ Communication network projects, Programme must be implemented at the grassroot and; ■ Other projects. level keeping in view that the district collector The performance of the NDMA in terms of administers Mahatma Gandhi National Rural project implementation has been abysmal. Out of Employment Guarantee scheme (MNREGA)and 10 projects which were identified during the 11th other land related programmes. District Disaster Five Year Plan, four are yet to be approved and one Management Authorities (DDMAs) should try project i.e. National Earthquake Risk Mitigation to fill up vacancies on a regular basis and calls for Project has been approved on 5th April, 2013. an organisational structure at the district level to Out of the remaining five projects which were address disaster management in a holistic manner. sanctioned during 11th Five Year Plan, only one The committee acclaims the role of National project viz. micro-zonation of major cities has Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in combating been completed and the remaining four are still the major disasters occurring in the country under various stages of implementation. This is including the Uttarakhand episode. To bring a sorry state of working of the NDMA which has continuity into the system, the Committee rec- been mandated to perform functions relating to ommends that the tenure of experienced NDRF disaster management. personnel be extended beyond normal deputation The disaster Management act, 2005 provides period of 5 years to 7-10 years. for recommending provision of funds for the pur- Theco mmittee is of the view that NIDM should pose of mitigation. In cases of disasters of severe act as centre for excellence so far as capacity magnitude, NDMA should recommend relief in building for effective disaster management is con- repayment of loans or for grant of fresh loans to the cerned. The Committee is of the view that NIDM persons affected by disasters on such concessional should function as an autonomous body in respect terms as may be appropriate. Till 2012, NDMA of its entrusted activities and human resource had not initiated any action for recommending practice and not as a subordinate organisation of relief in repayment of loans or for grant of fresh either NDMA or MHA. loans to the persons affected by disaster. The committee further believes that informa- Thec&aG observed that as per extant GoI rules tion and training on ways to better respond to and for appointing consultants, the terms of reference mitigate disasters to the responders should go a (ToR) of consultants should be prepared which long way in building the capacity and resilience include precise statement of objectives; tasks to be of the country to reduce and prevent disasters. carried out; schedule for completion of tasks and Training is an integral part of capacity building, final outputs that will be required of them. It was as trained personnel respond much better to noted that NDMA appointed 13 consultants in different disasters and appreciate the need for pre- different areas of specialisation. They were how- ventive measures. Professional training in disaster ever engaged in day to day work in NDMA with management should be built into the existing ped- no specified tasks assigned. Their tenures were agogic research and education. Specialised courses also renewed routinely. for disaster management may also be developed by universities and professional teaching institu- reCoMMenDations tions, and disaster management should be treated The parliamentary committee is of the view that as a distinct academic and professional discipline. the Government must give due consideration The Committee recommends that NIDM may be to strengthen the district disaster management entrusted with this task. Specific components in authority so that the district authority is in a position professional and specialised courses like medicine, to act as the first effective responder. The Commit- nursing, engineering, environmental sciences, tee also views that the Disaster Risk Reduction architecture, and town and country planning

GeoGraphy and you . March-april 2014 63 it is important that globally practiced mitigation efforts of the identified high hazard zones must be fully supported and funded by union government.

could also find a place in the curriculum. The committee feels the need for a road map capacity building should not be limited to for reconstruction and rehabilitation and future professionals and personnel involved in disaster strategy to overcome such natural disasters. In this management, but should also focus on building connection, the following steps may be considered: the knowledge, attitude and skills of a community ■ Need for a multi modal transport system; ■ to cope with the effects of disasters. Capacity Network of airstrips and heliports; ■ Adequate building for effective disaster management there- number of air ambulances; ■ Network of godowns fore needs to be linked to the community and with built in shelters for providing food security to local level responders on one hand and also to the stranded population; ■ Scientific extraction the institutional mechanism of the state and the of river bed material to ward off expansion of nation on the other. Satellite imagery has become river channels, and; ■ Augmentation of wireless, an important tool for decision makers in getting satellite and ham communication systems and alerts for disasters and in assessing the situation installation of high performance computers and pre and post disaster. These capabilities need Doppler Radars and Automatic Weather Stations further refinement and intensification to enable (AWS) and other systems. functionaries at the district level to take appropri- Theco mmittee notes that the State Government ate and timely decisions. Therefore, the concerned of Uttarakhand has constituted an expert group departments viz., science and technology, earth to examine the issue of tourism and carrying sciences and space research organisations need to capacity of remote pilgrimage/tourist sites with a be strengthened to provide advanced and effective view to issue guidelines in the matter. The Com- information on disasters. It is also necessary to mittee feels that registration of pilgrims should create a national platform for sharing, using and also be examined. disseminating the data. The committee is also of the view that training enDnote modules and calendars to upgrade the skills of The Parliamentary Committee takes into account personnel, NGOs and communities engaged in the fact that in the incidents of the disasters of disaster prevention and mitigation should be similar magnitude in USA and Japan, the loss of taken. The government should prioritise assess- lives is much less as compared to that in India. The ment of structural and non-structural safety of Committee, therefore, observes that prevention school buildings and identify necessary mitiga- and mitigation should contribute to the lasting tive action to be included in the school safety improvement in evolving safety, and the same programme. should be integrated in disaster management. The committee notes that the Indian Mete- The Committee is of the view that the National orological Department (IMD) has prepared a Response Plan, National Human Resource and comprehensive proposal of Rs 360 crores for Capacity Development Plan and Mitigation an Integrated Himalayan Meteorological Pro- Plans may be finalised at the earliest and adopted gramme both for Western and Central Himalayas, by respective nodal ministries. The Committee including locating adequate number of Doppler hopes that with all measures undertaken, the radars and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) for government will ensure that hazards do not turn monitoring hydro-meteorology, and submitted into disasters. the same to the Central Government/Planning Commission for approval. It is also important that Abstracted from: Report No. 178 of the Department- globally practiced mitigation efforts of the identi- related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home fied high hazard zones must be fully supported Affairs, Rajya Sabha. The Report was presented to the and funded by the Union Government. House on 19th February 2014.

64 March-april 2014 . GeoGraphy and you www.geographyandyou.com Log on today to start being the change...

message board

Online Environment news

IntErvIEwS

“Higher education “Just as life is not “Social sciences need “MoES to focus on in India has lost its quantifiable, so is the multidisciplinary discovery, improved sense of direction” concept of green” research” observations” Bhikhu Parekh laid bare B V Doshi believes that Prithvish Nag voiced Shailesh Nayak comments the state of education in green buildings are a the need of making about the services India, drew a comparison cultural identity, and that research in social rendered to the nation by between Gandhi and sustainability does not sciences the Ministry and states Tagore… need money… multidisciplinary... its plans… RNI No. deleng/2001/5002