Inter-disciplinary and multi-hazard approach is the need of the hour for Kerala for disaster mitigation, response and recovery, Himanshu Grover, co-director, Institute for Hazard Mitigation and Planning, College of Built Environments, University of Washington, says.
‘‘Kerala has responded well to overcome the worst-ever floods in August 2018 and the citizens’ response and ability were in the order of high level. It is the ideal time for the State to develop long-term policies and build up on it,’’ Dr. Grover, who was in the State capital recently for the workshop ‘America with Kerala: Uniting for a disaster resilient Kerala’ told The Hindu .
An experienced researcher who is involved in several community university partnerships projects for disaster management, Dr. Grover says the State should learn from the experiences of other countries like the United States that steadily built up the capacity and resilience of communities and went for ‘all-hazards approach’.
For disaster management, Dr. Grover says education should be in the forefront as everyone should be aware of the risk as they have to respond quickly. The State needs more education modules at least at the college level and an inter-disciplinary and multi-hazard approach, says Dr. Grover, whose research focus is at intersection of land use planning, community resilience, and climate change.
Make human system strong and it can be thread to multiple threads, he says pointing out how effectively the disaster management philosophy was pushed down into the mainstream through the educational system in the U. S.
Now, over 100 U.S. universities are offering disaster management programmes ranging from certificate programmes to doctoral courses.
Take the lead
Dr. Grover says Kerala also should take the lead to start disaster management courses. Three to four universities have evinced interest already. T
he first module of the course should provide adequate information on disaster management, he says.
“Disaster management is a growing field and a new science and people love it. With disasters on the increase, it has opened new field of opportunities and NGOs’ are in high demand. More information will make the system stronger,’ Dr. Grover points out.
A certified planner in India (ITPI), and in the United States (AICP), he is of the view that a robust disaster management system makes the community resilient.
Data maps
On the road ahead for the State, Dr. Grover says the State would have more information data maps and operationalise the disaster management plans.
“The State has a willing political leadership for linkages, good team of officials and volunteers at its disposal. It is a matter of implementation,” he adds.
