Post on 28-May-2020
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 1
Community Based Disaster Management Planning
and Hazard Risk Assessment for Social Security: A
Case Study of Talla Johar Valley of Uttarakhand,
India
Atithi Pant1, B.W Pandey
1 and V.S Negi
2
Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi1
Saheed Bhagat Singh College (Eve.), University of Delhi2
ABSTRACT : Participatory research approaches are increasingly admired by academic researchers and
development institutions, working to facilitate change in partnership with local communities. The
present paper deals with the concept of community based disaster management (CBDM) and explain
the impacts and community’s perception regarding different hazards. In the present paper, we
demonstrate an approach to the identification and assessment of hazards in the (Talla Johar valley) of
Uttarakhand. The prime focus is on flooding, landslide, soil erosion and forest fire etc. This paper
assesses disaster, vulnerability, capacity and risk with local concern. The understanding of the
variations in various disasters attributes on the basis of risk assessment.
Keywords: : Community based Disaster Management, Community Participation, Hazard, Hazard
Assessment, Management Assessment, PRA tools, Risk assessment, Vulnerability Assessment.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I. Introduction:
Over the past two to three decades, the economic losses and the number of people who
have been affected by natural disasters have increased more rapidly. Mountain Ecosystem are
highly vulnerable to various hazards such as earthquakes, landslide and flash floods etc.
particularly Glacier Lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Among the Himalayan regions the sparsely
populated greater Himalayas are most prone to natural hazards. Apart from the landform, the
terrain complexity also affects the vulnerability to natural hazards like landsliding. Uttarakhand
the origin place of the Gangetic river system is possibly among the most landslide prone region
in the Himalaya. Likewise, according to another report as much as 1.99 tonnes of sediment are
reported to be generated per annum by each 10 meter of road in the Himalaya [1]. The recent
disaster (June 16/17, 2013) of Uttarakhand is the burning example of human, ecology and
economic loss. To reduce the damages caused by disasters, various efforts have been taken by
government; international community‘s including donor agencies. But due to lack of
participation most of the time community may not be prepared to face the disaster and this
issue is prime of concern. White's, and Pandey,[2],[3]; investigated the human response to
natural hazards and led to the development of the 'dominant' paradigm.
The 'dominant' paradigm attempted to incorporate the human element of risk by focusing
on people's perception of environmental hazards and how they dealt with them [4],[5]. The
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 2
concern authority (Government, non-government and international organizations) implement
various programmes before and after the disasters. Most of them are very successful during
the project period, but gradually weaken as the years pass. We should know that without
sustainability, disaster management efforts will not preserve. The most common elements of
community involvement are partnership, participation, empowerment and ownership by the
local people [6]. The emphasis of disaster management efforts should focus on communities
and the people who live in them. Unless the disaster management efforts will not start at
individual and community level, it is difficult to reduce the losses and scale of the calamity.
There needs to be an opportunity where people can be involved from the initial programming
stage of disaster management activities. Being at the forefronts, communities need to have
capacity to respond to threats themselves. It is for this reason that communities should be
involved in managing the risks that may harm them. While different community empowerment
programmes related to disaster mitigation have achieved their objectives, they are often short
term, and issues on sustainability in these efforts are rarely addressed [7]. The community, as
the primary stakeholder and recipient of the direct impact of disasters, has hardly given the
chance to participate in the process of decision-making and implementation of activities.
Communities become vulnerable when it has left alone limited resources to cope with
disasters. Generally it has seen that the small and medium scale disasters occur more frequently
than the large-scale disasters, which are experienced in localized regions. Participatory
techniques are one way of ensuring those directly impacted upon by hazards are involved in
planning strategies to mitigate against them. Increasingly it has been advocated that
populations directly affected by environmental hazards should be deciding and developing
policies to deal with them [8]. Community empowerment for disaster risk management
demands their participation in risk assessment, mitigation planning, capacity building,
participation in implementation and development of system for monitoring which ensures their
stake.
Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM)
The Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM) approach promotes a bottom-up
approach working in harmony with the top - down approach, to address the challenges and
difficulties. To be effective, local communities must be supported into analyzing their
hazardous conditions, their vulnerabilities and capacities as they see themselves [3],[9]. The
CBDM approach provides opportunities for the local community to evaluate their own
situation based on their own experiences initially. The CBDM approach acknowledges that as
many stakeholders as needed should be involved in the process, with the end goal of achieving
capacities and transferring of resources at to the community. To re-politicise participation,
empowerment must be re-imagined as an open-end and ongoing process of engagement with
political struggles at a range of spatial scales [10].
Many literatures related to CBDM, specifically in the case of Uttarakhand are as found as
key factors for enhancing sustainability:
The existence of ―culture of coping with crisis‖ and ―culture of disaster reduction‖ exist
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 3
Community and supporting agencies share common motivation and ownership for the
initiation and sustainability of CBDM
Risk assessment process involves genuine participation of all age and sectoral groups in
capacity building
Wider stakeholder‘s involvement and accumulation of physical, technological and
economic assets to reduce hazards and vulnerability
II. Objectives of the Study:
The main objectives in this paper is -
1. To evaluate the socio-economic conditions of the sample households.
2. To analyse the performance and progress of the handloom units.
3. To observe the marketing facilities and marketing problems of the handloom fabrics.
4. To identify other problems faced by the weavers and suggest suitable remedial
measures for their wellbeing.
III.Methodology:
The study is based on both primary and secondary data. For study 6 village of Talla
Johar valley have been selected that are most vulnerable interms of disaster risks. Twenty five
respondents from each village have been selected. Thus total 150 samples have been taken for
primary data collection. Subsequently Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools have been
used to know the ground reality. Focused group discussion and interviews have been
conducted to know the responses of local communities. Hazard Vulnerability Index has been
prepared for measuring Hazard, vulnerability and management assessment separately to
elucidate the risk assessment by giving them ranking on the basis of local responses. The
perceptions of the local community regarding different aspects of sustainability and hazard
occurrences and management have been gathered through a pre-structured questionnaire
excluding general information about the respondents. Population, socio-economic and
household, land use and disaster related data have been collected from District Census Hand
Book. Secondary data has been used for analyzing, explaining, and combining the geographical
information of the study area with additional information.
IV.Study Area:
Talla Johar Valley located in northern India adjacent to Tibet and Nepal, the Johar Valley
is a remote area within the Pithoragarh district of the western Kumaon region of Uttarakhand,
India, along the Eastern Ramganga river or Goriganga river (Figure 1). The valley used to be a
major trade route with Tibet. The best known villages in the valley are Munsiari, Milam
Tejam, Nachani, Rasiabagar and Bhaiskhaal, these villages comes under Munsiari Tehsil. The
main Gori valley from Munsairy to Milam is known as Johar. The Johar valley also divided
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 4
into two part ‗Talla Johar valley‘ and ‗Malla Johar valley‘. The Johar Valley ranges in altitude
from 2,290 mts. at Munsiyari to 3,872 mts. in Milam. The upper Johar Valley constitutes part
of the eastern border of the buffer zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. For study here
we have taken lower Johar Valley. It lies between middle Himalaya and lower Shiwalik,
between 29° 16' 10" N to 29° 24' 11" N latitudes and 79° 41' 21" to 79° 48' 13" E longitudes.
The mountainous landscape of the Johar Valley includes river valleys and alpine meadows,
with alpine glaciers in the distance.
Source: Carved from Google Earth
Figure 1: Johar Valley, Uttarakhand, India.
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 5
The Valley is accessed from the gateway village of Munsiyari along a foot trail that
follows the River Goriganga, a right bank tributary of the Kaliganga system. The foot trail is
the only link between the lower and upper villages in Johar Valley, and historically functioned
as a trade route between Johar Valley villages and villages in Tibet. As described by the
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) these rangelands are
particularly fragile and critical ecosystems that support livestock and accommodate important
watershed functions as well as provide valuable and biologically diverse resources.
Drainage:
The valley‘s major river is the Goriganga, which starts at the Milam Glacier and flows
southeast, fed by other glaciers and streams from the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve to the east
and the five Panchachuli Peaks to the west. The area is drained by River Kaliganga system.
The Milam Glacier being a receding glacier, and is moving backward at a fast rate the newly
formed Moraine belt is the perfect area to study the origin of plants from the adjacent
mountains and Bugyals. The valley is located in the middle in the Kumaon region.
Geology:
The geology of the area divided in 3 major zones (i) zone of ridges and steep slope (ii)
moderate zone (iii) zone of minimum elevation. The zone of ridges and steep slope includes
major portion in north of the river. It lies in altitudinal zone of more than 2000 mts. thus
subjected to high erosion. It covers 45per cent area of the total area of the basin.
Table 1: Major Types of Soil found in Pithouragadh District, Uttarakhand
Source: Negi, 1993
S.N. Situation Altitude m Soil type
1. Irrigated Lower Hills 600-1200 Alluvial Sand
2. Rainfed 600-1200 Residual Sandy
3. Mid Hill South Aspect 1200-1700 Sandy Soil
4. Mid Hill North Aspect 1200-1700 Brown Forest Soil
5. High Hill 1700-2500 Red to Dark Black Loam
6 Very High Hill 2500-3500 Red to Dark Black Loam, Black
Meadow Soil Type
7. Alpine Pastures >3500 Heavy Textured Meadow Coarse
Textured
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 6
The zone of moderate slope lies between altitude of 1200 to 2000 mts, thus erosion is
also comparatively less. This zone also characterised by fault and a dissected topography. This
zone involves maximum anthropogenic interference thus contributes in maximum silt
discharge to the principal stream. This zone covers 35per cent area of the total area of river.
The zone of minimum elevation varies from 800 mts to 1200 mts thus erosion is low. The soil
is enriched with silt and thus it is potentially fertile, this covers roughly 20per cent area of total
river basin (Table 1). The valley covered with mountain soils in general, are immature and
have a thin surface layer. They are therefore very prone to erosion and loss of fertility.
Deforestation, disused terraces and road building activities have encourages landslides along
the mountain slopes. This has led to acute soil erosion problems in the middle Himalayas.
Climate:
The climate valley describes as of ―tundra‖ variety where mild summer season is
followed by an extremely cold and snowy winter season. Amount of rainfall is high towards
north and west in thickly forested area. Further northward increase in altitude has marked
effect in lowering the temperature. During the coldest months of December and January, the
tropical and temperate mountain ridges and high locations receive snowfall and have a
minimum - 4 to -5 temperature °C and maximum 38 °C. The temperature rises from mid-
March through mid-June. Regions lying at 3,000–3,500 metres (9,800–11,500 ft) become snow
bound for four to six months. At places like the river gorges at Dharchula, Jhulaghat, Ghat and
Sera of district pithoraghadh, temperatures reach 40 °C (104 °F). The annual average rainfall is
1200 mm., winter is a time for transhumance, the seasonal migration of the Bhotiya tribe with
their herds of livestock to lower, warmer areas. The topography varies from glaciated peaks to
grassy plateaus and rangelands to river valleys fed by the glaciers, snowmelt and monsoon
rains.
Vegetation:
The valley area is also famous for one its herbs which is known as Macrotomia, locally
known as Ratanjot which is silvery, hairy with drawn out brackets and red roots grows here in
the rocky surfaces. In Talla Johar Patti, the bugyals extend from the Tibetan border town to the
Goriganga Valley as far as its junction with the Ralam Valley. The shadow valleys or grooves
are often forested with Betula-utilis, associated with it are the alpine shrubby vegetation and
some sciophytic undergrowths. All these plants are rich in medicinal content. Beyond Milam
the sub-alpine vegetation is represented by yellow flowered Berberis sp., white flowered Rosa,
Ribes grossularia, species of
Juniperus, Lonicera and Ephedra gerardiana. The valley at lower altitude, enjoy a warmer
and more rainy climate, and vegetation patterns follow the climatic zones in this order:
―coniferous forests in the lower levels, through birch and rhododendron woods, then scrub and
alpine pastures, before giving way to bare rock and snow.‖
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 7
Human life:
The residents of Talla Johar Valley rely on forest resources for sustenance, and access
restrictions imposed by biosphere designation impacts the traditional patterns of resource use
(and economic mainstays) of subsistence farming, forest extraction, and livestock grazing. This
and declining transhumance all point to a need for new forms of livelihood strategies that are
respectful of the culture and ecology of the place. Tourism is already emerging as an important
source of revenue, and tourism related infrastructure development is on the rise; however, this
is happening without a coordinated plan or widespread commitment to protect the
environment. Tibetan merchants visited this place and traded in Borax, precious stones,
Pashmina and salt. The inhabitants of Johar Valley too travelled along with pack mules to
Tibet. They took rice, cotton clothes, jaggery, sugar, etc. to sell in Tibetan markets. Presently,
the loss of trade with Tibet, brought about drastic changes in the transhumant lifestyle—fewer
households arriving at their summer homes, a smaller livestock population, disappearance of
traditional handicrafts, and increased exploitation of wild medicinal and aromatic plants
(MAPs), with traditional crops being replaced by more remunerative crops such as chives
(Allium stracheyii) and caraway (Carum carvi) as the chief source of livelihood [11].
Hence in the summer months they travelled and during the off- season reaped a harvest
of Jowar (Maize). This harvesting gave them and the area the name of Jowari Bhotia (now
Johar).
Village Profile of the selected Villages:
Among the selected villages of Talla Johar Valley village Nachani has the highest
population (Table 2). The main livestock are-buffalos, cows, bulls, goats, hens, and dogs. The
main occupation of the villagers is agriculture and other occupations are poultry farming, dairy
farming and bee-keeping. The most pressing problem of the village is the lack of a motorable
road. Although the plan of it was sanctioned 15 years ago, the village is yet to see it
materialize. Another infrastructural loophole is in the area of health. The villagers have to
either go to main pithouragadh city for even the mildest of illnesses. In cases of emergency,
such as labour pain or sudden health deterioration, trekking down on foot for 10 kms is the
only way out. The 108 emergency service holds no good for these people because neither the
vehicle can come to the village (on account of absence of road) nor can it keep standing in the
area for long for it also has to cater elsewhere. Electricity supply does not pose a grave
problem unless a pole or wire gets damaged. Almost all the existing families have cattle. Those
who do not own cattle, buy milk from others. Fuel-wood and grasses are brought from the
nearby forest. The sources of water are many but in the last hamlet which is the main village
Rasiabagar, they are few and usually dry up in summers. People are dependent on their farms
for food as also PDS to get access to rice and wheat. Manure is organic (cowdung only),
Rajma, lobhia, soyabean (locally called bhat), tur daal are grown but are destroyed by the
monkeys and the wild pigs. There is no mono culture in crops. Mixed farming with cowdung
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 8
as manure used. In fruits, malta, gooseberries, lemon and oranges are grown. There are
virtually no government schemes operating in the village. The village seemed to suffer
extremely for the lack of a motorable road and hospital. Even a post office or post-box was
seen missing. Road, a health centre with a permanent ASHA and a post-office are the primary
needs that should be addressed on an urgent note.
Table 2: Village Profile of the Selected Villages of Talla Johar Valley
Source: Based on Primary Survey
V. Result and Discussion:
Hazard Identification in the Talla Johar Valley
The climate of the Johar Valley is strongly influenced by the summer monsoon and
winter incursions of cold air masses and westerly storms which may bring heavy snowfall.
Throughout the year and at higher elevations, the area is subject to occasional extreme snowfall
and blizzard conditions. The summer monsoon brings copious and sometimes intense, rainfall
(>1000 mm) to the Valley. The area has been subject to extreme and damaging
meteorological/hydrological events such as floods, landslide, snow avalanches and
earthquakes, throughout it. Owing to its typical geomorphic setting, high relief variation,
dominant impact of monsoon winds, thick forest cover, presence of glacier and glacial lakes
along the higher reaches, the area prone to various types of natural hazards. Annually the
damages caused to life and property by cloudbursts, flash floods, forest fires, landslides and
mass movement processes in the valley are enormous. The snow avalanches are also common
along the higher reaches, but the damages caused by them are generally unnoticed as they
Name
of the village
Number of
families
Total population Population
Livestock M F Total
Tejam 151 280 263 543 388
Rasiabagar 16 31 32 63 45
Bhaiskhal 40 124 149 273 198
Nachani 235 526 512 1038 488
Timtiya 49 91 120 211 98
Dhekuna 48 137 141 278 210
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 9
occur away from the human habitation. The studies show that the Johar Valley is prone to
seasonal flash floods which lead to massive damage to property and loss of life occasionally.
The flash flood in the Johar Valley is related with the extreme rainfall and occasional
cloudburst events during the monsoon period from mid July to mid September. Cloudbursts
usually occur in the upper catchments of the tributary valleys. The impact of the cloudbursts is
seen in the area of the main Talla Johar valley which recorded a quick high discharge and
caused consequential loss of property and even life. Forest fire is a matter of great concern to
the people and the local administration. Soil erosion is also increased by periodic forest fires in
the Johar Valley. Massive alluvial fans, terraces, etc. confined to the valley bottom and the
mass movement are apparent.
Community Perception Regarding Different Aspects of Hazards :
Knowledge of naturally occurring processes that may pose a hazard to life and property
in mountain environments is held by long-standing and indigenous inhabitants of such areas.
Their local or indigenous knowledge has influenced land use and resource management
decisions and adaptive strategies for generations. These and the indigenous and local
knowledge provide a rich corpus of information which may be of use to scientists, engineers,
planners and outsiders involved in development projects in a new area. Hazards are caused due
to change in geophysical set up. The scale of severity is based on the state of fragility and
vulnerability. So far as the frequency of hazards in the Talla Johar Valley is concerned (Table
3). The trend (frequencies) has been categorized under 6 heads, namely: increasing slowly,
constant, reducing rapidly reducing slowly and don‘t know. The hazards of, landslide, floods,
cloudburst, forest fire, heavy rain storm and soil erosion have been regarded by the respondents
as increasing rapidly by 77, 83, 81, 90,73 and 60 per cent. Heavy rain storm and due to that soil
erosion has been increasing slowly as observed by 26 and 27 respondents respectively (Table
3).
Table 3: Peoples' Perceptions Regarding Present Trend of Hazards (frequency)
Hazards
Present
Trend
Landslides Floods Cloudburst Forest Fire HeavyRain
storm
Soil Erosion
Res.* per cent Res.* per cent Res.* per cent Res.* per cent Res.* per cent Res.* per cent
Increasing
rapidly
115 77.0 125 83 120 81.0 135 90.0 110 73.0 90 60.0
Increasing
slowly
12 08.0 25 17 20 13.0 15 10.0 26 18.0 27 18.0
Constant 15 10.0 0 00.0 5 3.0 0 00.0 9 06.0 15 10.0
Reducing
rapidly
0 00.0 0 00.0 0 00.0 0 00.0 0 00.0 10 06.7
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 10
Reducing
slowly
0 00.0 0 00.0 0 00.0 0 00.0 3 02.0 3 02.0
Don‘t know 8 05.0 0 00.0 5 03.0 0 00.0 2 01.0 5 03.3
Total 150 100 150 100 150 100 150 100 150 100 150 100.0
Source: Primary Survey, 2013
* Res. - Number of respondents, Based on Community Response
Perceptions Regarding Causes of Hazards
Intensive household level attitudes were collected for individual hazards: their root cause and
other responsible factors were identified through questionnaire. Deforestation, slope cutting,
heavy rainfall and overgrazing were identified as the driving factors causing these hazards.
Table 4: Local’s Perceptions regarding cause of Hazards
Causes Hazards
Landslides Floods Cloudburst Forest Fire Heavy Rain
Storm
Soil
Erosion
Res* per
cent
Res* per cent Res* per cent Res* per cent Res* per cent Res* per
cent
Deforestation 150 100.0 150 100.0 120 80.00 150 100 16 10.67 150 100
Slope cutting
and
construction
of Roads
150 100.0 130 86.67 0 00.00 60 100 0 00.00 150 100
Improper
Draining
on slopes
120 80.00 90 60.00 20 13.33 0 00.00 15 10.00 130 86.67
Heavy
Snowfall
18 18.00 10 06.67 0 00.00 0 00.00 10 06.67 10 06.67
Overgrazing 10 06.67 5 03.33 0 00.00 100 66.67 0 00.00 123 82.00
Steep Slopes 60 40.00 0 00.00 10 06.67 0 00.00 20 13.33 76 50.67
Heavy
Rainfall
130 86.67 150 100.0 150 100.0 0 00.00 145 96.67 150 100
Changing
Land Uses
55 36.67 22 14.67 30 20.00 90 60.00 0 00.00 58 38.67
Faulty
Agricultural
Practices
40 26.67 15 10.00 05 03.33 10 06.67 0 00.00 27 18.00
Glacial lake
Outburst
55 36.67 20 13.33 12 08.00 0 00.00 0 00.00 14 36.67
Tourism 10 06.67 10 06.67 0 00.00 15 10.00 10 6.67 20 13.33
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 11
Source: Primary Survey, 2013
* Res. - Number of respondents, Based on Community Response
The improper draining on slope is also recognizing as a responsible factor. Most of the
respondents considered heavy rainfall and deforestation as the major factors for cloudburst.
Deforestation, overgrazing and changing land use are the major factors responsible for forest
fire in the area. Primarily human activities like deforestation, slope cutting, road construction,
improper draining on slope and heavy rainfall are responsible for soil erosion about 150,
150,130 and 150 respondents respectively. Heavy rainfall, slope cutting and construction of roads
and improper drainage slope were identified as other responsible factors for landslide hazards
by 130, 150 and 120 respondents
respectively. For the hazard of forest fire traditionally, deforestation was considered as
the foremost factor, others are Slope cutting and construction of roads and overgrazing. About 150
respondents recognized the faulty heavy rain fall, deforestation, slope cutting and construction
of roads are as a tool for soil erosion in the area (Table 4).
Disaster Risk Assessment
Disaster Risk Assessment is a participatory process to assess the hazards, vulnerabilities
and capacities of a community. Through hazard assessment, the likelihood of the occurrence,
the severity and duration of various hazards is determined. The vulnerability assessment
identifies what elements are at risk and the causes of their vulnerable conditions. The result of
the disaster risk assessment is a ranking of the disaster risks of the community as basis of
planning for risk reduction.
At the local level, the most important factor concerning vulnerability is the level of
income. The nature of houses adds to the vulnerability of the local people. Homes made of
mud and stone, and roofs made of thatch grass and galvanized tins are more vulnerable than the
RCC houses. Usually, houses in municipal areas are better protected with majority of them
made of reinforced cement concrete in most of the countries. Poverty status, education,
communication and transportation systems, accessibility of public resources such as forest
produce, government facilities and drinking water, and presence of agricultural banks/credit
banks, NGOs and other service delivery institutions can be used for assessment of
vulnerabilities in an area.
Hazard Assessment
The average of frequency, effect and ranking of flood in Rasiabagarh and Baiskhal is 3
followed by Tejam 2.7 and Nachani 2.7. These villages are also vulnerable in case of landslide.
Forest fire registers 2.7 and 2.3 respectively in Tejam and Baisiakhal villages. Village Timtiya
(2.7) effected by heavy rainfall (Table 5). Thus we can see that the chances of flood and
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 12
landslide disaster in first 4 villages is very frequent and intense, while landslide is very much
intense and frequent disaster in all five villages except Timtiya along Talla Johar Valley.
Vulnerability Assessment
In Rasiabagar and Baiskhal the vulnerability of floods on population, building, infrastructure,
resource, and economy is 2.32 which is highest incomparison to the other villages. It also
records highest frequency of flood and forest fire is 1.95 and 1.77 respectively. Village Timtiya
seems less vulnerable interms of hazards here its ranking value is lowest among the selected
villages. Most hazard prone villages are Rasiabagar and Baiskhal. In Rasiabagar the
vulnerability by floods and landslide is 2.8. While village Tejam is most prone to Forest fire,
its ranking value is 2.4 which is highest among the selected villages. In Dekuna major hazard is
heavy rainfall and its ranking value is 1.8 (Table 6).
Management Assessment
The management assessment table shows that most of the people opted prevention and
mitigation strategies before the occurrences of disasters for to weaken the disasters impact. The
level of weather warning before and after disaster is very essential in the case of occurrence of
heavy rainfall. People wants from the government to establish a weather station in every
village so that they can alert before the onset of heavy rainwater which cause several water
induced disasters. In the case of Nachani most of the respondent believes that after forest fire
government should takes some initiatives in the form of compensation, safekeeping or
replantation in the affected area. Participation of community and government and their level of
awareness count a lot after and during heavy landslide and flooding situation. People believe
that NGOs and other institutions are not being active during and after disasters.
Risk Assessment
The risk assessment of disasters show, risk of landslide in Rasiabagar, Bhaiskhal and Dekuna
is respectively 5.0, 5.02 and 3.90. While of flood in Rasiabagar (5.0), Bhaiskhal (4.70),
Timtiya (3.10). Risk assessment of forest fire in Tejam, bhaiskhal and Rasiabagar is
respectively 3.90, 3.11 and 1.90 and of heavy rainfall (3.20) in Timtiya. Thus Table 8 shows
risk of Landslide and flood disasters is very high in all six villages along Talla Johar Valley.
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 13
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 14
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 15
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 16
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 17
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 18
VI.Conclusion :
Utilising participatory techniques in such a manner for disaster risk reduction has
broadened the capacity for dialogue between impacted communities and relevant stakeholders.
Besides anthropogenic process of resource development, specifically construction of road
along sensitive slopes, expansion of settlement zone and agriculture on forests and upslope
areas, overgrazing etc. have further rendered this entire zone prone to frequent and widespread
land sliding and excessive soil erosion. The research has found that the role of community is
very insignificant to mitigate and manage disasters in the Valley; as well the role of
Government authorities also not satisfactory. Although by the efforts of government, in some
areas retaining wall to prevent landslides have been erected, but these means are not helpful to
that extent due to lack of maintenance.
References :
[1] Chaddha, S.K. (1989) Environmental hazard in Himalaya. In S.K. Chaddha (ed.),
Environmental, Holocaust in Himalaya, Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi, p.1-10.
[2] White, G. F (1945) Human Adjustment to Floods: A Geographical Approach to The
Flood Problem in the United States, University of Chicago, USA.
[3] Pandey, B. and Okazaki, K. (2005) Community Based Disaster Management:
Empowering Communities to Cope with Disaster Risks, United Nations Centre for
Regional Development, Japan.
[4] Gaillard, J.C; Liamzon, C. and Villanueva, J.D. (2007) Natural' disaster? A retrospect
into the causes of the late-2004 typhoon disaster in Eastern Luzon, Philippines
Environmental Hazards, pp. 257-70
[5] Singh R. B (1998) Land use/cover changes, extreme events and eco-hydrological
responses in the Himalayan region. In: Singh RB, editor. Sustainable development of
mountain environment in India and Canada, New Delhi: Oxford and IBH Publishing
Co, pp.53–67.
[6] Maskrey, A. (2011) Are Visiting Community-Based Disaster Risk Management, United
Nations Strategy For Disaster Reduction, Geneva, Switzerland.
[7] Kafle, S. K. and Murshed, Z. (2006) Community-Based Disaster Risk Managment for
Local Authorities, Participant‘s Workbook, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre
(ADPC), Bangkok, Thailand.
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Science Society and Culture(IJIRSSC) Vol: 2, Issue:1, (June Issue), 2016 ISSN: (P) 2395-4345, (O) 2455-2909 © IJIRSSC
www.ijirssc.in Page 19
[8] Wisner, B., Blaikie, P., Cannon, T. and Davis, I. (2004) At Risk: Natural Hazards,
People's Vulnerability and Disasters 2nd edn Routledge, London.
[9] Tyagi, P. and Pande, R. K. (2012) The Community Based Disaster Management
Planning: Case Studies From Uttarakhand, India, International Journal of Humanities
and Social Science Invention, 1(1):34-44
[10] Williams, G. (2004) Evaluating Participatory Development: Tyranny, Power and (Re)
Politicisation, Third World Quarterly, 25(3) 557–578. DOI-10.1.1.462.5229
[11] Negi, C. S. (2007) Declining Transhumance and Subtle Changes in Livelihood Patterns
and Biodiversity in the Kumaon Himalaya, Mountain Research and Development
27(2): 114-118.
[12] Negi, S.S (1993) Kumaun: Land and People, Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi.
[13] Pandey, B. W. (2002) Geoenvironmental Hazards in Himalaya: Assessment and
Mapping. Mittal Publication, New Delhi.