NGO seeks disaster management bill

INDIATIMES NEWS NETWORK / Dec 7, 2005, 12:50 IST

Share

AA

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Prayas seeks a disaster management bill to minimize the potential damage by future natural disasters.

PUNE: Fresh from a study of flood-affected areas of the Konkan region, environment and development NGO Prayas has urged the government to bring a disaster management bill making progressive provisions towards minimising the potential damage by future natural disasters.
The government can bring the bill during the winter session, Subodh Wagle, head of Prayas' resources and livelihood unit, told TNN.
He said the Centre had already taken an initiative in this regard, with the national-level bill pending before Parliament. And over a month ago, the state had declared to follow suit, he added.
"Normally, governments respond to disasters after they occur, but an enactment will legally bind states to ensure disaster mitigation steps in advance," he said.

Wagle pointed out that Maharashtra does have disaster management plans ready for every district, but they have not been updated nor were accessible to core groups like NGOs, who normally extend the first interface to the people in times of disaster...
...
The Prayas team, which studied the worst-hit areas of Konkan, concluded that the restoration of agricultural lands through the Employment Guarantee Scheme and public support; remedial action on sites with potential for fresh landslides; and food security were the three main concerns in the region.
Ram Kowligi, Sachin Waraghade and Pranjal Dixit were members of the team that visited the Konkan region.
WHAT'S NEEDED
Restoration of agricultural land through EGS Activate food supplies through PDS more effectively remedial action on sites where landslides could occur Steps to check damage by future natural disasters.

End of Article

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA