VK Bahuguna
The Covid-19 pandemic is largely attributed to man’s manhandling of nature with over-exploitation and misuse of resources resulting in climatic changes affecting our health with rising incidences of new diseases and natural disasters.
The recent Tauktae cyclonic storm caused massive damages of life and property in Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. In Gujarat, over 350 lives were lost,over30,000 houses and 75,000 electric poles damaged and 70,000 trees uprooted with thousands of animalsdead. Over two lakh people were shifted to safe locations.
Past experience has held in good stead with our disaster response forces of centre and state able to prevent at leastbigger losses of life. The heavy loss of life and properties in 1999 Odisha cyclone taught a lesson to Central and State authorities. The central government established the National Disaster Management Authority in May, 2005 and subsequently Disaster Response Forces were created at the Centre and States. Their infrastructure is continually being upgraded based on the experience gained with each calamity. The country now has a protocol to deal with emergencies with adequate legal back up.
The Odisha government was well prepared for the severe Fani Cyclonestorm that struck on May 3, 2019 and thus could minimise the damage and weathered the emergency well, though some loss of property had to be sustained due to location factors. Cyclones and wind storms are witnessed over large water bodies like seas in low pressure areas accompanied by heavy rainfall and are formed by the continuous rise of hot air over the oceans. The vacant area is filled with cool air which heats up and rises and ultimately forms the eye of the storms and moves at high speeds causing heavy rainfall. Similarly, due to climate change the glaciers are melting with rising temperatures,causing heavy floods and cloud bursts are being witnessed in the Himalayan.
The Covid-19 crisis is yet another cause of ecological disturbances causing a huge loss of life and virtually killing the economy. The nature’s signals are quite clear — change the way you live, otherwise perish.
The resilience andvibrancy need to be back in the society to convert such calamities into opportunities. To cope up with cyclones and floods,disaster-prone areas must have a site-specific plan of action. There should be underground electricity wiring in such areas and resilient housing. At the village level, especiallyin border areas, weapons training programmesare must for villagers.
Similarly, for Covid-19 waves, policy makers should revamp the government health infrastructure. Private hospitals should be controlled through a new comprehensive legislation so that black marketing and fake medicine sale invite severe punishments. No license should be granted to hospitals without in-house oxygen plants. The Chief Medical Officers of districts must be held responsible for controlling black marketing and over charging. The Drug controller and state police must have a special intelligence branch to oversee this. To bring youth and professionalism at the district level, an Indian Medical Service should be created. Health should be declared a fundamental right and government must bring a comprehensive health insurance scheme.
(The author is Chairman of Centre for Resource Management and Environment. The views expressed are personal.)
