Disaster Governance and Legal Systems in India

Abstract

India is a multi-hazard-prone country with diversity of eco-geological and socio-economic settings. As witnessed by historical time disasters and their management, the disaster governance in India was primarily of contingency management approach. Codes, practices and guidelines for preparedness and particularly on relief existed even before Independence. However, with the growing understanding on risk causes, the paradigm shift to prevention-mitigation and now on mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into development forms a key agenda in development governance. Legal and policy framework has given rise and mandates to key institutions for policy guidelines, capacity development and emergency response at national, subnational and local levels. Laws directly and indirectly addressing disaster-related hazards and factors of vulnerability and capacity have been reviewed besides opportunities, resources, and responsibilities of organizations/agencies stated herein. Mechanisms of financial strategies, international cooperation and recent advances are discussed, besides the journey of disaster management governance in India. A detailed account on national authority (NDMA), institute (NIDM), emergency response and subnational and district framework for disaster governance is also enumerated.