Practical steps to addressing disaster management in Nepal

Rivers of snowmelt and waterfalls are exploited for their hydroelectric potential and irrigation purposes; forests are razed to make way for agricultural land and rapid urbanisation. Deforestation in Nepal is widespread and one of the major environmental problems afflicting the country, leading to soil erosion in the hillsides, water scarcity from frequent run-offs and mass flooding. 

A number of NGOs have been working to prevent the phenomenon. The UK charity organisation, Practical Action have developed a range of projects in Nepal that not only work towards implementing climate adaptation and mitigation policies, but have also managed to morph them into income generating projects.The NGO has a unique approach to development, empowering locals with simple tools, technology and training and controlling it for themselves.

In the Nawalparasi District, flooding and land erosion have had severe impacts on the resident Bote community, particularly affecting agriculture as the paddy is destroyed by floods and the land is becoming increasingly non arable owing to soil degradation. Practical Action in partnership with its local implementing partner - SAHAMATI started implementing a Disaster Risk Management project in 2007 along the settlements of Baulaha River[1]. In 2008 winter, communities, project staff and concerned stakeholders agreed to construct a 1.8 km long embankment along both banks of the Baulaha River. The new embankment has helped protect 40 hectares of arable land and encouraged farmers to transplant their crop. They were also given training on different ways to grow vegetables, enabling them to diversify their crops.

The organisation also works to boost local awareness around disaster preparedness and management through the implementation of an early warning system. These systems are designed to be managed by local communities and are thus sustainable and long term. Practical Action puts emphasis on empowering communities and has rigid rules around communities making their contributions in order to work with Practical Action. They are a stickler for transparency and ensures that everyone in the community is aware of any decisions made. Once again, the organisation has made the use of a simple tool, a community noticeboard, whereby, meeting minutes, planned activities, etc. are shared. This sort of community involvement is favoured by the locals as it’s easily accessible and understandable.

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[1]Building embankment boosts farming. (2012). Retrieved from http://practicalaction.org/nepal/region_nepal_disaster_climate

Samai Haider