disaster management

Q.1: Think of any city in a multi-hazard prone area, which has not witnessed a major disaster so far. Can you design a story starting in the pre-disaster phase ? What do you think will happen in emergency and post-disaster recovery phase ? 

Ans: (Hints - Multi-hazard prone areas in India are the foothills of the Himalayas and Ganga - Brahmaputra valley. You can think of any city like Chamoly in Uttaranchal, Gangtok in Sikkim, Kohima in Assam etc. which has which has not witnessed a major disaster so far. You have to design a story starting in the period before any major disaster takes place there. Then narrate the actual disaster and the steps taken in the post-disaster recovery phase. Also see the answers of our additional important questions given in a separate post.)   

Q.2: Why do you think it is important for students and teachers to learn about disaster mitigation ? 

Ans: There are several reasons for which it becomes very important both for students and teachers to learn about disaster mitigation - 

=> Both the students and teachers can guide the people most as to what steps can be taken to prevent disasters.

=> The teachers and students are generally well-versed with the locality so they can help the local people most.

=> It is found that both the teachers and students have a great spirit to serve the society in case of any disaster. So if the students and teachers learn about disaster mitigation jobs they can prove still more useful. 

=> If the students and teachers learn about disaster mitigation they can render much useful help to the Government officials and the other social institutions engaged in relief and the rehabilitation work.

=> Mostly when any disaster occurs the schools are generally closed so that the affected people may be shifted to the school buildings. Hence, both the students and teachers are then free to take pert in any disaster mitigation work. 

Q.1: What two steps would you suggest to reduce the loss of an earthquake?

Q.2: Name the four components and elements of disaster management.  

Q.3: Describe the ‘Preparedness’ measure to cope with the effects of disaster.  

Q.4: Describe the ‘Relief and Response’ measures to cope with the effects of a disaster.

Q.5: Describe the ‘Recovery and Rehabilitation’ measures to cope with the effects of a disaster.

Q.6: What do you understand by Disaster Management ? Describe briefly the different components or elements of Disaster Management. 

Answer.1: All those substances which have some utility or usability areresources for us.

The different criteria required for anything to be resource for us are -

      (i) utility or usability.

      (ii) economic value or any other value.

      (iii) time and technology inherent, which can make the substance important for present or future requirements        

      of the people. For example, invention of fire, wheel etc.

Answer.2: In general there are three types of resources: Natural, Human - made, and Human.

Natural Resources

Resources that are drawn from nature and used without much modification are called Natural Resources. For example, air, water in well, rivers and lakes, soil, minerals etc. Natural resources are further divided into various types such as Actual, Potential, Abiotic, Biotic, Renewable, Non-renewable, Ubiquitous and Localized resources.

Human - Made Resources

Such resources which have been changed from their original form by human effort are called as Human - Made Resources. For example, buildings, roads, bridges etc. Technology is also an important example of Human - MadeResources.

Human Resources

Since people can make the best use of nature to create more resources with the help of their knowledge, skill and technology, so, people are humanresources. Human resources refer to the number and abilities of the people.  

Answer.3: On the basis of origin natural resources are classified into Abiotic and Biotic.

Abiotic Resources: These are non-living natural resources like - soils, rocks, minerals etc.

Biotic resources: These are living natural resources like - plants and animals.   

Answer.4: On the basis of stock natural resources are further classified or subdivided into Renewable and Non-renewable types.

Renewable Resources: Such resources are renewed quickly. These are found in abundance and unaffected by human activities. For example, solar and wind energy.

Non-Renewable Resources: Such resources have a limited stock in the nature and may take thousands of years to get renewed. Since this period is much more than human life spans, so, they are called Non-RenewableResources. For example, coal deposits, petroleum deposits etc. 

Answer.5: Balancing the need to use resources and also conserve them for the future is called sustainable development. In other words carefully utilizing resources so that besides meeting the present requirements it also takes care of the need of future generation is known as sustainable development. The basic principles of sustainable development are given below:

1. Respect and care for all forms of life.

2. Improve the quality of human life.

3. Conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity.

4. Minimize the depletion of natural resources.

5. Change personal attitude and practices towards the environment.

6. Enable communities to care for their own environment