Topic: Disaster and disaster management
6. The attribution of extreme weather events to climate change must not lead us to overlook ground-level environmental degradation that’s no less to blame and can be acted against. Examine the role that local communities can play in flood adaptation and mitigation. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
The Odisha government on August 18 declared 15 days of relief for flood-affected population in five districts. The declaration was made after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made an aerial survey of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Khordha district.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of involving and empowering local communities in flood management strategy.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving the context of recent floods and rising trends of flood across India.
Body:
First, write about the role of climate change and local degradation in recurring floods. write about the how floods impact the local communities and their livelihoods.
Next, write about the benefits of involving local communities in planning, preparation, adaptation, mitigation and rehabilitation process of flood risk management. Also, speak on the limitations of centralised approach to flood management.
Next, write about the need to address the long terms causes like climate change, unplanned development, destruction of fragile ecosystems etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward
