TURA: A One Day Workshop on Mainstreaming Disaster Management in Departmental Plan Risk Mitigation, Earthquake Risk Mitigation and Landslide Mitigation for DDMA was held today at Circuit House, Tura. The programme was organised by District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Tura.
While addressing the gathering Additional Deputy Commissioner and Incharge Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura A M Sangma said that natural calamities occur from time to time which cannot be avoided, but our response to face such challenges determines the level of preparedness to handle the situation. Adding that disaster management is the responsibility of all organisations – both government and non-government, he urged all the departments in the district to be proactive through appropriate measures in prevention, mitigation and preparedness strategies.
In her keynote address, Additional Deputy Commissioner and CEO, DDMA, Mary T Sangma said that the objective is to provide guidelines on various aspects of Disaster Management and to make the people resilient to disaster. She added that the focus is on reducing disaster risks and vulnerability through strengthening of Government and Non-Government organizations, physical infrastructures and the capacities of the communities in meeting the challenges posed by disasters in the state in general and district in particular.
Surajit Bordoloi, Consultant, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Shillong who is the Resource person for the workshop explained in brief on various topics comprising of “Concept and Approach of Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)”, “How to Mainstream DRR and Sectoral Approach”, Mainstreaming DRR into ongoing Flagship Programme”, “Disaster Specific Action Plan by Different Departments and Agencies” and “Earthquake and Landslide Risk Mitigation”.
In his deliberations, Surajit Bordoloi informed the gathering that the Planning Commission has initiated steps to mainstream DRR in all major schemes, especially flagship schemes of the Government of India by incorporating the same in the Five Year Plan of the Central Ministries and annual Plan of State Governments. Therefore, while incorporating DRR, development should not increase risk but, rather aim to reduce it and should have capacity building component with DRR elements inbuilt, to give impetus for education, research, public sensitization, awareness and institutional strengthening for Disaster Management preparedness at all levels, he added.