Chamba / Shimla / Chandigarh, October 22, 2024
A Vartalap or Media Workshop on the theme of Disaster Management has been held in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh today, 22nd October, 2024, by the Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The Vartalap has been organized by PIB with the aim of generating a meaningful dialogue and fruitful exchange of ideas between the government and the fourth estate, on various dimensions of managing disasters.
It may be recalled that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has recently released ₹ 5,858.60 crore to 14 flood-affected states as a central share from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and an advance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). This includes ₹ 189.20 crore to Himachal Pradesh, These states have been affected due to extremely heavy rainfall, floods and landslides during the south-west monsoon this year.Further, in July 2024, a High-Level Committee under the chairpersonship of under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister approved a project proposal for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)risk mitigation for the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh at a total outlay of Rs. 150 crores. The GLOF Risk MitigationProject will provide necessary impetus to these four states in taking necessary mitigation measures to address GLOF risks.
The Vartalap was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner, Chamba, Shri Mukesh Repaswal. Addressing the media, the Deputy Commissioner saidthat disaster management is one area which could get unduly affected due to over-sensationalization. As an example, he pointed out that Chamba was relatively unaffected in the 2023 monsoons; however, tourism got a big hit due to over-sensationalization and an impression that the entire state witnessed widespread damage.
Acknowledging and appreciating the media of Chamba for being very mature and measured, the DC said that the media should contribute to also give assurance to the people that the government is active and taking action during a disaster.
The DC recalled that the media had played an important role in India’s freedom struggle. “Many of our major freedom fighters and social reformers such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Bal Gangadhar Tilak had used the media as a strong instrument as a vehicle for transmitting their ideas. Gandhiji used to regularly publish “Young India” newspaper.”
The DC said that the primary role of media is to extract accountability from the government and to bring unheard voices to the state. He said that the role of media has changed to some extent with the advent of social media. “In the urge to be first, there has been some compromise with the due verification of facts. I would request you to be cautious in this regard, to self-regulate and verify information before publishing it.” Media freedom is an essential part of democracy, he added.
Speaking about the evolution of disaster management, Second in Command 14th NDRF,Nurpur, Shri Rajneesh Sharma said that the initial thrust of efforts in disaster management after independence was just relief-centric and that there was no focus on preparedness, until enactment of Disaster Management Act. “During 1905 earthquake in Chamba, the Bhopal gas tragedy, and the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone, there was no legal framework to deal with disasters. However, after enactment of the Act, casualty level has gone down. Government of India constituted a high-powered committee after the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone. This committee recommended a DM Act and to change orientation of disaster management, from relief-centricity to preparedness.” He said that after enactment of DM Act, even though many super cyclones hit India, the loss of lives has come down considerably. National Disaster Management Plan has been prepared by the government.
Shri Sharma informed that the Act says that there will be a three-tier system in the whole country, comprising NDMA, SDMA and DDMA.“India has adopted risk reduction framework adopted at UN’s world conference on disaster management. The UN Conference brought the whole world under one umbrella. Disasters do not have any boundaries. The conference decided that countries with early warning systems may share the information generated by them timely with countries going to be affected.”
He stated that it is the affected community which plays the most important role in disaster response. He informed that besides response, NDRF plays an important role in community awareness. “NDRF runs programmes in building community skills and awareness. Programmes are held in schools as well to build disaster resilience. Railways, India Posts and other departments like NYKS too are being trained. NDRF also works in close collaboration with SDRF.”
Pointing out that climate-related disasters have begun to occur irrespective of seasons, he informed that the government is working toward policies under which fast-response equipment can be provided at panchayat level as well.
ADM, Chamba, Shri Amit Mehralaid stress on mitigation of forest fires and said that the administration has suggested to include collection of pine needles under MGNREGA activities.He informed that the administration is creating assets for it in the field, as the first responder is the common man and woman who is standing there and witnessing the incident. “1,502 task force youth volunteers have been trained and 200 Aapda Mitras have been trained. 256 masons have been trained on seismically safe construction practices for buildings. The administration did an event at schools, on safe construction models.”
He said that the word is spreading and awareness is being built on disaster management. “1,200 schools have updated their school disaster management plans. Now, the schools can perform the mock drills as per their DMPs. Equipment for disaster relief has been given to the field functionaries. We are planning to have our own divers by the end of the year 2025.”
Divisional Forest Officer, Dalhousie, Shri Rajneesh Mahajanshared his insights on “Forest Fire A Disaster: Role of Stakeholders”.He said that it is our fundamental duty to protect environment, forests and to have a compassionate attitude toward wild life. He said that habitat of wild animals get affected due to forest fires. Forest fires affect grazing areas as well, he added.
The DFO informed that while fire is part of the management of grasslands, it is a myth that fire will lead to development of better grasslands. He said that around 95% of forest fires are man-made, originating due to this myth. “The long-term solution to forest fires can come only from we ourselves, for which there is a need for change in mindset. We need capacity building and awareness creation. Keeping this in mind, the department has started Catch the Young campaign, whereby children are encouraged to nurture plants in schools and then plant them.” He said that every citizen has the duty to assist the forest department in combating fires and that awareness is the only solution to addressing the issue of forest fires.
He also said that for timely detection and monitoring of forest fires, the Forest Survey of India (FSI), an organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has put in place a satellite-based ‘Forest Fire Monitoring and Alert system’. The forest fire alerts are disseminated through SMS and e-mail to the registered users.
District Tourism Development Officer, Chamba, Shri Rajiv Mishra said that tourism is one sector which influences various other sectors of the economy and society. A positive media coverage can give a big boost to tourism. However, exaggerations such as what happened during 2013 monsoon could affect tourism industry adversely. He requested the support of the media in countering such exaggerations which blow up or misrepresent adverse incidents.Misinformation spread using AI is another challenge, he informed.
Noting that partnership with media is very vital, he said that media has a role in creating pre-emptive awareness for tourists, on requirements for tourism such as permits and precautions.
He informed that the administration is working on improving disaster response arrangements in potential hotspots from the perspective of disaster management. “Adventure spots are a very important element and efforts are taken to mitigate disasters in such areas. As adventure spots keep expanding, a trained pool of experts will become available with the administration.”The DTDO said that a type of tourism called dark tourism too has emerged, wherein people come to visit sites after disasters have occurred there.
Program Officer, Office of Chief Medical Officer, Chamba, Dr. Suresh Kumarshared his perspectives on “Impact of Disasters on Health System”.Speaking about human impacts of disasters, he spoke about the vulnerabilities of women and children, elderly populations, the differently abled, single-parent households and health professionals. He also threw light on Nutrition for infants and communicable diseases which arise during disasters. He also spoke on the importance of averting disasters and preparing for them, and the role of the media in spreading awareness on it.
District Information & Public Relations Officer (DIPRO), Chamba, Shri Balbir Singh Bhardwajsaid that while reporting on disasters, the media should take care to protect the individual privacy of people. He also exhorted that the reportage should encourage and not diminish the spirits of government and administration who are involved in relief and response work. He further said that while the role of the media is important and while they need official information to perform their work, the media should take care that striving to do their duty does not lead to obstruction to others’ work.
The Vartalap witnessed an active engagement and interaction with the media. The media from Chamba, Dalhousie and nearby areas attended in good number and contributed to the Vartalap with their insightful questions and sharp suggestions for better management of disasters. Some of the suggestions included the need for more mock drills and exercises by NDRF and more community awareness programmes on disaster management. It was suggested that local youth committees at panchayat levels may be formed in areas which are prone to cloudbursts, to enable better disaster response. One concern was raised regarding functioning of toll-free numbers after disasters. Some reporters suggested that forest fire lines should be prepared before season of forest fires, and that lodging FIR against those who ignite fires is a very good step, which can instill fear among people. One idea which was received with applause is that people who receive tree trunks from the state should be asked nurture and plant 20 trees, as a condition for continuing to receive the trunks. Another suggestion given is regarding the possibility of convergence between MGNREGA and setting up of forest fire lines. Another suggestion has been that posters, signboards and paintings showcasing culture of Chamba should be installed on the roads, to promote tourism in Chamba and Dalhousie.
Earlier during the Vartalap, Joint Director, PIB, Shri Dheep Joy Mampilly gave a presentation on the functioning of PIB and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Media & Communication Officer, PIB, Shri Ahmad Khan welcomed the gathering, facilitated the proceedings and delivered the Vote of Thanks.
Also read:
- High-Level Committee, under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister approves a number of disaster mitigation and capacity building projects for various states
- Natural disasters in Himalayan region
- MHA releases ₹ 5858.60 crore to 14 flood-affected as a central share from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and an advance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)
- Prevention of Forest Fires
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DJM / AK | PIB Chandigarh / Shimla
