Protect Nature

SAFEGUARDING ENVIRONMENT FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

India with its vast population and unique geo-physical characteristics is one of the world’s most disaster pr one countries. Natural hazardous such as cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, floods or droughts occur in different parts of the country in varying intensities. Social conditions that govern the way communities live, affect the extent to which people are affected by the hazard. In order to protect the environment and ourselves from harmful effects of a disaster, we have to prepare ourselves in advance, to face them.

Many hazards are natural and usually inevitable, like cyclones, floods, droughts and earthquakes. They are ‘hazards’ in that they can potentially harm people, economies and the environment if they are not adequately prepared. A ‘disaster’ occurs when a hazard results in devastation that leaves communities or even whole nations unable to cope unaided.

Hazards are the processes or the events of nature. Be it an earthquake, a landslide, a flooding, drought or a chemical mishap – it relates to environment in its occurrence. Environment, in the form of natural resource systems, hold a major stake in people’s vulnerability to the impacts of these disasters.

Disaster risk reduction is a broad approach, which includes all action aiming to reduce disaster risks. Action can be political, technical, social and economic. Disaster risk reduction takes forms as varied as policy guidance, legislation, preparedness plans, agricultural projects, an insurance scheme, or even a swimming lesson. The approach enables people to think and work across society, to make sure that everyone – from governments to individuals – makes the right decisions to reduce the risk and impact of disasters on the environment.

Disaster risk reduction is a major component of climate change adaptation. It is also one of the best links to the human development agenda for promoting biodiversity and sustainable environmental resource...