Draft policy for Indian communities displaced by coastal erosion

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• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) received the final inputs on the draft of India’s first national policy for the mitigation and rehabilitation of the people affected by river and coastal erosion.

About

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has directed NDMA to draft a policy based on the 15th Finance Commission’s report.
• In this regard, NDMA has held national-level consultations with different stakeholders including central ministries, state government departments, and NGOs.
• India is prone to various natural and man-made disasters, which pose significant challenges to disaster management.
• Until now, most policies in the country only address displacement after sudden rapid-onset disasters such as floods and cyclones.

Major highlights:

What is NDMA?

• National Disaster Management Authority is an apex body for disaster management in India
• It is headed by the Prime Minister of India and has a Vice-Chairman, nine members, and a CEO.
• It was established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and provides guidelines for disaster management to various agencies.
• It is responsible for preparing and implementing disaster management plans at national, state, and district levels.

Importance of disaster management in India

• Human lives are at stake: Disaster management can help reduce the loss of life and minimize the impact of disasters which leads to loss of life and property, and long-term health consequences..
• Economic impact: Disaster management can help minimize the economic impact of disasters which have a significant impact on the economy, including loss of property and infrastructure, decreased productivity, and disrupted supply chains.
• Climate change: Effective disaster management can help in mitigating the effects of climate change which has led to more frequent and severe natural disasters. 
• Infrastructure: It can help in improving the resilience of infrastructure which are vulnerable to natural disasters such as  roads, bridges, and buildings. 
• Humanitarian assistance: Disaster management can help in coordinating relief efforts and ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it the most.

Challenges of disaster management

• Lack of preparedness: Despite frequent disasters, there is still a lack of preparedness at all levels of governance and society leading to delays in response time and inadequate resources to deal with disasters effectively.
• Poor infrastructure: Many areas in India lack basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and communication networks, making it difficult to reach affected areas during disasters.
• Population density: India is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, which can make evacuations and relief efforts more difficult during disasters.
• Climate change: With the increasing threat of climate change, India is experiencing more frequent and intense disasters, such as floods, droughts, and cyclones putting pressure on the country’s disaster management systems to adapt and respond effectively.
• Lack of coordination: There is often a lack of coordination between different agencies involved in disaster management, such as the government, NGOs, and international organizations leading to duplication of efforts and inefficiencies.
• Funding: Despite the increasing frequency and severity of disasters, funding for disaster management is often inadequate which often limit the resources available for preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Way ahead

• Disaster management in India faces various challenges, such as inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, limited awareness and education, weak institutional capacity, inadequate coordination and communication, and inadequate research and innovation.
• Steps such as continuous improvement and innovation in disaster management, based on the best available science, technology, and practices, and involving all stakeholders in a participatory and inclusive manner can go a long way in changing the scenario. 

Source: DTE