India’s Commitment For Disaster Risk Reduction

Syllabus: GS3/ Disaster management

In Context

• India has reaffirmed its commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), a UN-backed global agreement adopted in 2015.
  • The framework aims for the substantial reduction of disaster risks and losses to protect lives, livelihoods, and the assets of communities and nations. 

Key Dimensions of India’s Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives

• Adoption of the Sendai Framework Principles: The Sendai Framework emphasizes reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience. India has incorporated these principles into national policies, such as the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), which aligns closely with Sendai’s four priority areas:
  • Understanding Disaster Risk
  • Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance
  • Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for Resilience
  • Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response
• International Cooperation and Global Partnerships: India promotes knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and joint initiatives on disaster resilience.
  • For instance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), initiated by India, now includes 40 countries and seven international organizations. This initiative aligns with the Sendai Framework.
• Strengthening Regional and Local Resilience: India’s National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which addresses flood and drought risks, are tailored to the Sendai principle of contextual disaster resilience.
  • The Heat Action Plan implemented in Gujarat and other states, aimed at mitigating risks from extreme heat waves.
• Enhancing Financing for Disaster Risk Reduction: India has prioritized disaster financing, an often overlooked area. The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) allocate resources for quick responses and long-term resilience building.
  • At the G-20, India underscored the need to upscale DRR financing and proposed Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as cost-effective approaches to mitigate risks while conserving ecosystems.

• Example: The recent floodplain restoration project on the Mula-Mutha River in Pune aims to use NbS for flood resilience by restoring wetlands, which absorb excess rainfall, reduce erosion, and replenish groundwater.

India’s Five DRR Priorities Highlighted at the G-20 Meeting

• Early Warning Systems: India’s effective early warning systems for cyclones and heat waves have set benchmarks for disaster preparedness. This was demonstrated during Cyclone Tauktae, where timely alerts helped reduce fatalities.
• Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure: Through CDRI, India assists global communities in constructing resilient infrastructure that withstands floods, earthquakes, and cyclones.
• Disaster Financing: India emphasized increasing DRR financing, integrating it into policy planning, and securing public-private partnerships to enhance resource availability.
• Resilient Recovery: India supports post-disaster recovery with a focus on building back better, incorporating resilience into reconstruction efforts. The reconstruction in Kerala after the 2018 floods is an example, incorporating flood-resilient infrastructure and building standards.
• Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): India promotes NbS, such as wetland restoration and afforestation, as sustainable measures that reduce disaster impacts while preserving biodiversity.

Challenges and Gaps in Disaster Risk Reduction in India

• Funding Constraints: Despite efforts, disaster financing remains limited, and public-private partnerships for DRR are still developing.
• Infrastructure Vulnerability: Urban areas are often not built to withstand high-magnitude disasters. Rapid urbanization without adequate risk assessments increases vulnerability.
• Data and Research: There is a need for localized disaster risk data and enhanced research on emerging risks like climate-induced disasters.
• Implementation of Nature-Based Solutions: NbS require careful planning and long-term investments, but limited resources and competing priorities can slow implementation.

Way Forward for Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction

• Increase DRR Financing: Establish more robust public-private partnerships for disaster risk financing, create targeted funds for vulnerable areas, and encourage investments in DRR through tax incentives.
• Expand CDRI and Global Alliances: Continue to strengthen CDRI and explore new collaborations with countries facing similar disaster challenges, facilitating global knowledge exchange and capacity building.
• Focus on Localized Early Warning Systems: Enhance community-specific early warning systems, particularly for floods and landslides in high-risk zones like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• Invest in Resilient Urban Planning: Implement stricter building codes, enforce zoning laws, and incentivize climate-resilient urban infrastructure to reduce vulnerabilities.
• Advance Research and Development: Invest in disaster research, including climate-resilient crops, eco-friendly infrastructure, and flood management technologies, to anticipate and address emerging risks.
• Promote Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): Expand NbS projects in coastal, riverine, and forested areas to manage risks sustainably, integrating these solutions into broader development plans.