Environmental conservation most effective medium to reduce disaster risk: Dhami
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Environmental conservation is the most effective medium to reduce disaster risk. Stating this, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that in a vulnerable State like Uttarakhand, disaster management is not just an administrative task but the top priority of the State government. Dhami said this while addressing officials during the mock drill held across the State on Thursday to check monsoon preparedness. The CM said that advance preparations, swift decision making, better coordination and proper use of modern technology are very important to effectively deal with disasters likely during the monsoon.
Stating that the State level mock drill is an important step towards further strengthening the capacity of the disaster management system, he said that it is not merely a rehearsal but an elaborate test of the inter-departmental coordination, communication system, availability of resources and the actual capability of the relief and rescue mechanism. Dhami told officials that disaster management should not be limited to relief and rescue but should also include special focus on risk mitigation, advance preparation and technology based management. “Modern techniques like artificial intelligence-based early warning system, digital monitoring system, drone surveillance, GIS mapping, satellite monitoring and data-based risk assessment are being linked to disaster management in Uttarakhand to enable minimisation of damage through timely and accurate evaluation of potential threats. Rapid response teams have been strengthened to ensure swift rescue and relief in emergency situations while the early warning system is being consistently enhanced to provide timely warning in distant and vulnerable areas. Work is also being undertaken consistently for conservation of water sources, study of glaciers, tree plantation, environmental conservation and public awareness to protect the Himalayan ecology. Environmental conservation is the most effective medium to reduce disaster risk,” he said.
The CM directed that the experiences and shortcomings found during the mock drill should be studied seriously and all the districts should submit their detailed review report within 72 hours to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA). He said that the aim of the State government is not simply to provide relief after a disaster but also to minimise the disaster risk, ensure the safety of public and property, and develop Uttarakhand into a model of a capable, technology enabled and public participation based disaster management.
Disaster Management and Rehabilitation minister Madan Kaushik, disaster management advisory committee vice chairman Vinay Ruhela and officials concerned were also present in the meeting.
