Disaster Management: Managing the Risk of Environmental Calamity: A Comprehensive Analysis of India's Vulnerability to Natural Disasters

Abstract

The author dedicates this study to all innocent pilgrims and residents who have become victims of recent past natural calamity which we have witnessed in Uttarakhand, India”. All communities and countries are vulnerable to disasters, both natural and man-made. India’s geo-climatic conditions as well as its high degree of socio-economic openness, makes it one of the most disaster prone country in the world to suffer very often from various natural disasters, namely drought, flood, cyclone, earth quake, landslide, forest fire, hail storm, locust, volcanic eruption, etc. Which strike causing a devastating impact on human life, economy and environment? Various disasters like earthquake, landslides, volcanic eruptions, fires, flood and cyclones are natural hazards that kill thousands of people and destroy billions of dollars of habitat and property each year. The rapid growth of the world's population and its increased concentration often in hazardous environment has escalated both the frequency and severity of natural disasters. With the tropical climate and unstable land forms, coupled with deforestation, unplanned growth proliferation non-engineered constructions which make the disaster-prone areas mere vulnerable, tardy communication, poor or no budgetary allocation for disaster prevention, developing countries suffer more or less chronically by natural disasters. Asia tops the list of casualties due to natural disaster. Among various natural hazards, earthquakes, landslides, floods and cyclones are the major disasters adversely affecting very large areas and population in the Indian sub-continent. The perception about disaster and its management has undergone a change following the enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.