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- Permanent Link:
- http://dpanther.fiu.edu/dpService/dpPurlService/purl/FI13042433/00001
Notes
- Summary:
- The document presents the cases of two states in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region of India, highlighting their increased vulnerabilities to disaster as a result of climate change, and the need to reformulate disaster policy for the region. Singh begins by describing the recent dramatic increase in the frequency and intensity of disasters in the region in recent years, from extreme rainfalls causing massive flooding, to recurrent landslides leading to the destruction of entire villages. These incidents typically affect traditional livelihoods, pushing communities to engage in practices that increase their vulnerability to disaster, such as farming in environmentally sensitive areas. They also destroy the little means of communication that exist in these areas, along with roads necessary to provide much needed supplies. This often causes an exponential rise in the price of everyday goods, which leads to increased vulnerability. Singh then discusses the failures of both state and national governments to adequately respond to the realities of increasing risk in the region. At the local level, disasters are not viewed as reasons to develop long-term strategies for reducing risk and building resilience, but as means to extract money from the central government. At the national level, there is no effective strategy regarding preparedness and mitigation that is specific to the Himalayan region. The people in the Himalayan communities have special vulnerabilities to disasters because of the remoteness of the region and its rugged terrain. Rescue efforts require more time and resources than in other regions. Governments have compounded these vulnerabilities through policies favoring industrial interests over the environment, such as the blowing up of mountains for cement, often increasing the likelihood of future avalanches. Singh calls for developing a model for dealing with disasters specific to the Himalayas which would require increased research on the region and the participation of local communities in the policy making process. A system needs to be established that alerts the government of incidents in remote parts of the region, which increases communication and coordination between agencies, and develops the skills of responders. These remote communities need more information, awareness, and proper training to adapt and deal with disasters. Also, the dependence of this region on natural resources requires there be a focus on environmentally sustainable livelihood and development strategies. ( English )
- Subject:
- Disasters and Climate Change ( English )
- Citation/Reference:
- Singh, A. (2010). Climate change and disasters in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. Agency for Multidimensional Research, Implementation, Training & Advocacy (AMRITA).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Florida International University
- Rights Management:
- Refer to main document/publisher for use rights.
- Resource Identifier:
- FI13042433
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