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“Prevention is better than cure” is the motto of disaster management strategists around the world. The first step i.e. disaster preparedness embodies half of the disaster management planning process. Better preparedness against disaster checks the excess loss of life and property and thus, saves the revenues of the government to a greater extent.  Hazard Zone Mapping is an efficient measure to check disaster loss to a greater extent by micro-management of the different disaster-prone zones. It considers a particular disaster, such as earthquake and map it according to its severity and impact in different areas.  Landslide hazard zone mapping and its use in disaster management process.  • Landslide hazard zone mapping at regional level of a large area provides a broad trend of potential landslide zones. A macro level landslide hazard zone for a small area may provide a better insight into the landslide hazards.  • The hazard zone map produced by using techniques, such...

India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) is the largest distribution network of its kind in the world. PDS was introduced around World War II as a war-time rationing measure. The Public Distribution System (PDS), till 1992, was a general entitlement scheme for all consumers without any specific target. The Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) was launched in June 1992. Subsequently, in 1997, the government launched the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), with a focus on the poor. TPDS aims to provide subsidized food and fuel to the poor through a network of ration shops. Food grains, such as rice and wheat that are provided under TPDS are procured from farmers, allocated to states and delivered to the ration shop, where the beneficiary buys his entitlement.  • In September 2013, Parliament enacted the National Food Security Act, 2013. The Act relies largely on the existing TPDS to deliver food grains as legal entitlements to poor households. This marks a shift by mak...

1. Physical Vulnerability may be determined by aspects, such as population density levels, remoteness of a settlement, the site, design and materials used for critical infrastructure and for housing (UNISDR).  Example: Wooden homes are less likely to collapse in an earthquake, but are more vulnerable to fire. 2. Social Vulnerability: Refers to the inability of people, organizations and societies to withstand adverse impacts to hazards due to characteristics inherent in social interactions, institutions and systems of cultural values. It is linked to the level of well-being of individuals, communities and society. It includes aspects related to levels of literacy and education, the existence of peace and security, access to basic human rights, systems of good governance, social equity, positive traditional values, customs and ideological beliefs and overall collective organizational systems (UNISDR). In a disaster, women in general may be affected differently from men because of th...

The government schemes are carried out for the welfare of the vulnerable sections. The vulnerable sections include SC, ST, OBCs, backward classes, women, senior citizens, children, Divyang, third gender, minorities. The welfare includes the overall human, social, political, economic development of these sections with a view to achieve dignity and liberty of individuals by enhancing choices and offering avenues of growth.  There are several stages of policy process, where non involvement and lack of awareness leads to inefficient and ineffective performance:  • Identification of the problem - At the time of identification the people for whom the scheme is carried out do not know about the scheme. The people are required to be involved in the policy-making process so that their valuable inputs can enhance the process. • Formulation – While policy formulation takes place, it is really important to involve people. If the people are not aware then that might affect the targeti...