Synthesising governance, disaster management crucial, says HP varsity V-C

It is crucial to incorporate disaster governance, i.e, scientific preparation, robust policy-making, effective coordination, timely warning systems and active community participation, into disaster management, said Prof Mahavir Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), at a seminar on “Disaster Governance: Issues and Challenges” organised here today. .

The Vice-Chancellor, who was the chief guest at the seminar, said, “Our region falls under high-risk zones due to its geographical sensitivity and climate change. Threats posed by earthquakes, landslides, cloudbursts, excessive rainfall and melting glaciers continue to challenge us. The university administration will continue to promote advanced research, community training, capacity building and institutional partnerships in this direction.”

Earlier, while delivering a welcome address, the Dean of Student Welfare (DSW), Prof Mamta Mokta, said that understanding and developing a strong strategy for disaster governance was crucial.

Prof NS Negi, Director, Himalayan Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, said that the Himalayan region was highly vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change-related crisis was frequent there. He added, “Disaster management is not just part of relief operations; it is a continuous process based on good governance, policy, community participation and technological innovation.”

Prof Satwant Atwal Trivedi, Additional DCP, encouraged the varsity students to train as disaster mitras and work in disaster response. She expressed hope that the university’s research work would be uploaded on the website more frequently so that it could be used in policy-making.