Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (UPSC 2020, 15 Marks, )

EN ह

Disaster management in India has traditionally followed a reactive approach, focusing on relief and rehabilitation after a disaster occurs. However, in recent years, the Government has taken several measures to shift towards a more proactive and holistic approach to disaster management.

As per Gilbert F. White, Disaster management involves understanding and reducing the risk of disasters through land-use planning, resource allocation, and community engagement.

Recent Measures in Disaster Management vs Earlier Reactive Approach in India

Aspect	Recent Measures in Disaster Management	Earlier Reactive Approach
Focus	Proactive and Preventive Measures	Reactive and Response-Centric Approach
Policy Framework	Comprehensive and Integrated Policies	Fragmented and Ad-hoc Policies
Community Engagement	Emphasis on Community Participation	Limited Community Involvement
Technology Integration	Incorporation of Advanced Technologies	Reliance on Traditional Methods
Early Warning Systems	Strengthened and Timely Warning Systems	Limited and Inconsistent Warnings
Capacity Building	Investments in Training and Capacity	Limited Training and Skill Development
Risk Assessment and Planning	Robust Risk Assessments and Planning	Limited Pre-Planning and Risk Analysis
Infrastructure Resilience	Focus on Building Resilient Infrastructure	Reactive Repairs and Reconstruction
International Collaboration	Active Collaboration and Information Sharing	Limited International Cooperation
Post-Disaster Recovery	Comprehensive Recovery Strategies	Ad-hoc Recovery Measures
Policy Implementation	Emphasis on Effective Implementation	Implementation Gaps and Delays