Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Disaster Management in India has undergone a significant transformation in the past two decades. Initially, the focus was largely on providing succor in the aftermath of disasters – rescue, relief, and rehabilitation. However, recognizing the limitations of this reactive approach and the increasing vulnerability due to climate change and rapid urbanization, India has progressively shifted towards a holistic disaster management paradigm. This new approach emphasizes prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and sustainable development, aiming to build resilient communities and reduce disaster risk. The devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami served as a crucial turning point, prompting a re-evaluation of India’s disaster management capabilities and policies.
Early Phase: Relief-Centric Approach (Pre-2005)
Prior to the early 2000s, India’s disaster management was largely ad-hoc and reactive. The response was primarily driven by the central government providing financial assistance to state governments affected by calamities. The focus was on ‘post-disaster’ measures. Key features included:
- Reactive Response: Primarily focused on rescue and relief operations after a disaster struck.
- Centralized Control: The central government played a dominant role in coordinating relief efforts.
- Limited Prevention & Mitigation: Little emphasis was placed on proactive measures to reduce vulnerability.
- Lack of Institutional Framework: Absence of a dedicated and comprehensive institutional framework for disaster management.
The Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) marked a slight shift with the inclusion of disaster management as a component of development planning, but it remained largely underfunded and lacked a cohesive strategy.
The Turning Point: Post-Tsunami & Hyogo Framework (2005-2015)
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami exposed critical gaps in India’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. This led to a paradigm shift, influenced significantly by the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. Key developments included:
- Disaster Management Act, 2005: This landmark legislation established a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for disaster management in India. It defined disasters, outlined roles and responsibilities of various agencies, and created the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
- National Policy on Disaster Management, 2009: This policy laid down a holistic and integrated approach to disaster management, emphasizing prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): Established in 2006, the NDRF is a specialized force for disaster response, equipped with advanced technology and trained personnel.
- Increased Funding: Allocation of funds for disaster management increased significantly.
The Holistic Approach: Sendai Framework & Beyond (2015-Present)
India’s disaster management policy has further evolved, aligning with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. This framework emphasizes a shift from managing disasters to managing disaster risk. Key features of the current approach include:
- Risk Reduction as Core: Focus on identifying, assessing, and reducing disaster risks through proactive measures like hazard mapping, vulnerability assessments, and structural mitigation.
- Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction: Integrating disaster risk reduction into development planning across all sectors (infrastructure, agriculture, health, education).
- Community Participation: Empowering local communities to participate in disaster preparedness and response.
- Early Warning Systems: Strengthening early warning systems for various hazards (cyclones, floods, earthquakes, droughts).
- Climate Change Adaptation: Recognizing the link between climate change and disasters, and integrating climate change adaptation measures into disaster management plans.
- Use of Technology: Leveraging technology for disaster prediction, monitoring, communication, and response (e.g., Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, mobile apps).
Institutional Framework Evolution
| Phase | Key Institutions | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2005 | Civil Defence, State Relief Departments | Reactive Relief |
| 2005-2015 | NDMA, State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), NDRF | Legal Framework, Institutional Capacity Building |
| 2015-Present | NDMA, SDMAs, NDRF, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Local Level Committees | Holistic Risk Reduction, Community Resilience |
Conclusion
India’s disaster management policy has demonstrably shifted from a purely reactive, relief-focused approach to a more holistic and proactive paradigm. The Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the subsequent adoption of the Hyogo and Sendai Frameworks have been instrumental in this transformation. While significant progress has been made, challenges remain in effective implementation, particularly at the local level, and in addressing the growing threat of climate change-induced disasters. Continued investment in risk reduction, community empowerment, and technological innovation will be crucial for building a disaster-resilient India.
Answer Length
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