Geography and You Magazine - Issue 139 - 140, 2020

In this issue

The 139-140, 2020 issue of G’nY, titled 'disaster resilience perspective’ (Double Issue)

DISASTER RESILIENCE - JOURNEY TO SUSTAINABLE INDIA – 2030

Planning and implementing disaster risk reduction requires integration pathways and appropriate tools. The transition from Hyogo Framework for Action to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction has brought focus on specific goals, integrating climate change adaptation and environment disaster linkages—mainstreaming it across all developmental sectors. This paper examines emerging issues of research and strategies for disaster risk framework strengthening and network development to achieve the designated goals by 2030, as also envisaged under the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Management.

8 mins

DISASTER RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURES IN INDIA

Disasters have been inflicting heavy damage in terms of deaths, injuries, destruction of our habitat and economic activity. While over the last two decades india has much to share about its successful response in terms of minimising life loss—infrastructure damage, however, have remained very high. the economic impact of these extreme events are required to be evaluated, particularly in the light of growing urban and coastal establishments of the country. Citing case studies of vulnerable built-up facilities, this article presents disaster-resilient infrastructure issues in india.

7 mins

Multi Hazard Disaster Risk Assessment: A Step Towards Disaster Resilience

GVV Sarma, Member Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority, talks to G’nY about building multi-disaster resilient infrastructure through comprehensive and integrated guidelines by involving entire geographic and socio-economic ecosystems.

8 mins

FLOOD RESILIENCE CAPACITY OF THE COASTAL ECOSYSTEM: VIOLATION OF CRZ NOTIFICATION

Coastal zones are facing multiple anthropogenic challenges, including the encroachment of water bodies, which hamper their flood resilience capacity. The recent floods in the coastal cities of Mumbai, Chennai and Kochi are examples. Even though India put in place the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification in 1991, its enforcement is a challenge. The recent Supreme Court order for the demolition of four high rise luxury apartment complexes in Kochi, which violated the CRZ Notifications, is an exception.

9 mins

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION THROUGH - HUMANITARIAN SUPPLY CHAIN DEVELOPMENT

In a disaster-prone country like India, it is important to work with a multi-pronged strategy to reduce the risk of disasters. Proper supply chain management for disasters, which is known as a humanitarian supply chain (HSC) can play a vital role in disaster risk reduction. HSCs are different than most commercial supply chains. But many qualities of commercial supply chains can help HSCs to be more effective. handling of uncertainty, optimisation of facility locations, planning of inventory, developing proper information network are some of the issues, which HSCs can learn from commercial supply chains. at the same time commercial supply chains can also learn abilities to handle high uncertainty from HSCs. a properly planned HSC where the private sector is also involved can help in improving the response to the disasters.

5 mins

THE 2018 KERALA FLOOD: BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNT

It is imperative to reconnoiter the potential best practices, lessons learned and way forward from the Kerala 2018 floods, which include community response to disaster risk reduction and institutionalizing capacity building for flood risk management. In order to support this review the significance of social capital in initial response as first responder and the need of institutionalizing this social capital is critically analysed. The paper also suggests a way forward for flood risk reduction.

10+ mins

ECOSYSTEM BASED APPROACHES: DISASTER PROOFING INDIA'S URBAN SPRAWLS

India is undergoing rapid urban expansion. With increasing population, rapid development and infrastructure growth, urban sprawls are the new hotspots of disaster. The article focuses on the Tier II city of Nagpur, which is being developed as a Smart City. The urban areas of the city have been facing recent water/ climate challenges and it is pertinent to explore the future of this city in the backdrop of increasing urban disasters.

8 mins

Predicting weather-related disasters: Towards accuracy

M Mohapatra, Director General, India Meteorological Department (IMD), talks to G’nY about successes in monitoring and prediction as also the associated challenges of climate-related extreme events.

3 mins

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION THROUGH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: VULNERABILITY AND TRAFFICKING

Research shows disasters exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities, which are often ignored in the disaster risk reduction policies. It is observed that people who are already vulnerable get more exposed to disaster risk, suffering a higher rate of mortality, morbidity and significant damages to their livelihoods and property. Although disasters do not make a distinction in gender—women and children tend to be the worst hit. The major global policy instruments thus need to align to facilitate and encourage better communication, participation and create awareness thereby ushering in the sustainable development goals under the 2030 development agenda. The paper attempts to highlight how streamlining disaster preparedness plays an important role in reducing vulnerabilities within and across communities.

9 mins

INCREASING VULNERABILITY, RISK AND UNDERMINING RESILIENCE: SOME REFLECTIONS

The essay questions current development paradigms, which undermines community resilience. With climate change and increase in the frequency and intensity of disasters, sustainable living is imperative. there is an urgent need to stop indiscriminate development, which exacerbates vulnerabilities in communities.

5 mins

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Geography and You Magazine Description:

G'nY or Geography and You, is a semi-scientific research based magazine that is being published from New Delhi for 15 years now. One of its kind in the nation, the magazine deals with issues that are pertinent to south Asia, and India in particular. The editorial coverage encompasses people, places, environment, science and technology , with an emphasis on human involvement in a climate change scenario. Major topics include nature, ecology, economics, data and its interpretation, GIS based studies, extreme events, geographical thought, and more. G'nY today is appreciated and valued in India and abroad for its lucid in-depth factually correct articles, which is accompanied with vivid and large photographs.