Jammu:Institute of Energy Research and Training (IERT), Jammu University, in collaboration with the Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (IRDR), University College London (UCL) organised a workshop on “Increasing Resilience to Environmental Hazards – Disaster management Planning” at the Grand Dragon hotel, Leh on 8th July 2019. This was a follow-up meeting to the public project meeting held in July 2017 at the Grand Dragon Hotel in Leh. This workshop consisted of two sessions, the morning session focused on the disaster management planning and disaster response with the policy makers, and the evening session was an open interaction with the stakeholders, particularly the community representatives and general public. This will be followed with ‘back to community’ programme in Turtuk, and children’s education programme in Partapur scheduled on 10/11 July and 12 July respectively.
The morning session started with the introduction of the workshop by Dr. Jessica Fields (Jindal University, Haryana and UCL). Prof G.M. Bhat (IERT and Deptt of Geology, University of Jammu) gave an introduction to the GCRF-NERC funded research project titled “Increasing Resilience to Environmental Hazards in Border Conflict Zones”. This project that lasted form 9 months (Jan to Oct 2017) involved collection of data from entire Shyok-Nubra Valley. Data on geology and geomorphology was collected for hazard mapping. In addition to data on education, socio-economic status, monuments and heritage, hospitals and schools, and historical records was also collected. Certain activities which included “Children Education Programme” on “Hazards and Disaster: Risk and Risk Reduction”, community participation in hazard mapping (Future Vision and dream mapping), health-care and safer schools was also conducted. The output of this research initiative is the publication of 15 research papers in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (IJDRR) – an Elsevier Publication. This volume will have a foreword by Shri N.N. Vohra, Former Governor of the J&K State. The chief guest of this session was Shri Saugat Biswas, Divisional Commissioner of Ladakh who presided over the discussions that followed the presentation by Mr. Mosses Kunzang, Additional Deputy Commissioner. In his presentation, he discussed about the draft District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) seeking suggestions and inputs from all the experts, including the researchers from the UCL and University of Jammu. Shri Saugat Biswas appreciated the work conducted by these two research teams and emphasised the incorporation of the research outcomes and suggestions in the DDMP. He also emphasised the importance of the presentation of the research outcomes in the digestible format for its implementation at the grass-root level by bringing together the researchers, bureaucracy, and the government engineers on the same page. This will also enable to formulate a robust disaster management and mitigation strategy, he emphasised.
The evening session started with the welcome address by Dr. Jessica Fields which was attended by the stakeholders of Ladakh region. They included Mr. P.T Kunzan, President Ladakh Buddhist Association; Mr. Dechanchamgah, Chairman, Christian Community; Mr. Ashraf Ali, President, Imamia, Leh; President, hostel and guest houses, Leh; President, all Ladakh Tour Association; President, Merchant Association; Dr. Abdul Qayum, President, Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam, Leh; President, All Ladakh Taxi Operator Union;
She appraised about the institutional framework and the funding and outcome of the project which started in 2017. Prof G.M. Bhat appreciated and welcomed the participants and representatives of different associations. He discussed about the history of activities regarding the energy, environment and hazards in conflict zone, which started in 2008. Dr. Bindra Thusu and Dr. Mateen Hafiz of Jammu University discussed about global warming, water scarcity and other effects of global warming since 1977 due to the burning of fossil fuels and environmental degradation due to the high influx of tourists from all over the world. He informed the gathering about the need of sensitisation of young minds regarding the conservation of natural resource and preservation of fragile environment.
Dr. Jesssica Fields presented the findings on vulnerability and geohazards, with examples from Leh and discussed about the mitigation strategies. Mr. Omar Valezquez (Structural Engineer, UCL) talked about safer school programme. Dr. Naveen Hakhoo and Professor S K Pandita (IERT and Deptt of Geology, University of Jammu) discussed about the mapping of hazards, impacts, drivers assessment in Shyok-Nubra valley and the identification of hazards prone areas that can be avoided for building structures. Dr. Gulzar Hussain (Local Geoscientist working in Ladakh) and Dr Yudhbir Singh Assistant Professor Jammu University appraised about landslide and impact assessment in Kargil and Leh. At last question-answer suggestion was conducted in which lots of questions and suggestions were put forth by the gathering to the panellists. The stakeholders were concerned that they are still living in the dark ages of disaster management with minimal support from the government. They also questioned the non-participation of representatives of the government. There was an overall consensus that at individual level and community level, mitigation strategies are followed. The session concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr Jessica Fields.