Landslides in the Darjeeling Hills have been increasing in frequency and magnitude; resulting in loss of life, livelihoods and assets. The traditional approach to disaster is reactionary, after disaster strikes in terms of relief and rehabilitation.
Darjeeling, the northern most district of West Bengal, India is the only hill district in the state. It is part of the Hindu-Kush Himalayas. The Himalayas is a young mountain range formed due to tectonic forces. The tectonic forces are still at work thus the mountain range is still growing which results in landslides. But in the recent years besides the tectonic forces, anthropocentric forces have led to the increase in the frequency of landslide as a disaster in the Darjeeling Hills. The active tectonic forces make Darjeeling an active seismic area with zonation upto IV (very High). Earthquake coupled with landslide has had devastating effect on Darjeeling. But even with the zonation one cannot predict for sure where the landslide will take place.
Rehabilitation is a huge effort, as the entire area gets swept away leaving no physical land asset for the victim.
Community based disaster preparedness is the first part of the strategy for disaster management which promotes proactive community action prior to the disaster.
The methodology adopted is to build upon the community experience and resource through community mapping and planning. The outcome of which is community plans and actions for disaster preparedness.
The strategy promotes communities to incorporate the planning process specifically for disaster preparedness. Individual, family preparedness and specific community groups with necessary capacity building for pre, during and post disaster and linkage promotion is undertaken.
The preparedness also looks into land use patterns and afforestation programmes.
Relief and rehabilitation after natural calamities or disaster is part of the strategy and Anugyalaya has responded immediately to such situations in the past and will continue to do so. Relief and Rehabilitation is not restricted to the project areas only but to the entire Darjeeling Hills. Relief is given top priority in terms of activities that are undertaken.
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