BUILDING A CULTURE OF PREVENTION

Introduction
In an economy such as ours where resource is comparatively scare vis-a-vis the
population, it is paramount to not only mitigate disaster but adopt measures
which not only would reduce disaster but should also be able to prevent it.
Disasters of any kind disrupt progress and destroy the hard-earned fruits of
painstaking developmental efforts, often pushing nations, in quest for progress,
back by several decades. Thus, efficient management of disasters, rather than
mere response to their occurrence has, in recent times, received increased
attention both within India and abroad. This is as much a result of the recognition
of the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters as it is an
acknowledgement that good governance, in a caring and civilised society,
needs to deal effectively with the devastating impact of disasters.
Every year, huge amount of resources are mobilized for rescue, relief and
rehabilitation works following natural disaster occurrences National, State, and
District Governments. The role of the government in disastrous times is to
provide civility, protection and service emergency response to the needs of the
people. Without such services, chaos and mob mentality grows into anarchy. In
India at all level the government and its agencies should make correct policy and
provisioning of finance and relief materials to different agencies and organisation.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) :
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime
Minister of India, is the Apex Body for Disaster Management in India. At the
national level all agencies and department are required to work in a synchronous
manner. Mitigation of a disaster cannot be restricted to a particular agency and
methods or approval adopted during such a crises needs to be streamlined by
educating the participants and provisioning of overiding ordinance.The framing
and implementation of various policies go a long way in disaster avoidance and
mitigation, for example building norms should adhere to earthquake resistant
norms , this will reduce the lose suffered during earthquakes,
State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief
Ministers of the States. Disaster management at state level has tended to be an
independent action hugely irreverant to the national level agencies. During
Chennai floods local armed forces organization did not come into action
immediately as the state government refused national level help till the situation
was very grave. This again requires a framework involving all departments and
agencies which is synchronously works with central government and other
agencies.
Local Government Bodies:
Local government agencies play a critical role during times of disaster, but the
exact role of government is often unclear to disaster victims. Local government

bodies should organise awareness programme at Gali, Mohhalla level. This arm
of the government is closest to the masses and can provide vital support in case
of disater, however they lack both resources and authority.
Civil society (including NGOs, corporate sector, Community, Association,
etc. :
Civil society plays very important role in development of the society. Since the
local community is the first responder in any disaster situation, there is a great
need for community level initiatives in managing disasters. If we make Disaster
Management an important and compulsory thing in programmes of civil society
then the idea of making prevention of disaster could be successful. We can make
local equipment for immediate response, rescue and mitigation during disaster.
All these agencies should synergise the mitigation ,rescue and rehabilitation. The
methodology should be worked out and formalised during pre disaster period .

Changing paradigm in dealing with disasters in Indian context:

In recent years there has been a comprehensive paradigm shift in Indias
approach to both disaster management and climate change adaptation. From a
relief centric approach, India has adopted a holistic and integrated framework for
disaster management which highlights the interdependence of the economy,
environment and development. India has become a glowing example for other
countries to follow in not only responding within the country during regional
catastrophic disasters (exemplified by 2004 tsunami), but also to respond
simultaneously in the neighbouring countries. India has also shown the path to
the world for starting disaster management education from middle and high
school. There is paradigm shift in India from reactive approach of responding and
calamity relief after the disaster to proactive approach of disaster prevention,
preparedness, and mitigation. Many training programs are started by government
and private bodies at local to national level.
Conclusion
However the final frontier in disater management is adopting safe practices in our
development and growth story. For example factories using dangerous chemicals
adopts all the laid down safety regulations and practices. A study of the
tanneries, metal works and other small scale industries on the outskirts of our
cities tells us that we have adopt safe practices not merely disaster mitigating
and disater management prectices . The first step towards is disaster
management is disaster prevention and educating the society , more importantly
the children the value of safe practices .

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