Climate change terminology is widely
heard from the many scholars and scientist
The impact of climate change would
be long term and irreversible. Worldwide people started demonstration against
the companies which action has potential to harm the environment and adds in
climate change.
The major impact of climate change is
going to be more on under developed countries it would severely impact the
livelihood pattern globally which causes huge distress migration and unrest. Climate
change is impact of hundred years’ long industrialization and deforestation. I
think that, only climate change is not responsible for disaster. Community
traditional knowledge and skill in mitigation of disaster has been overlooked
and not even consider by the government, development organization and even by
the community.
Whenever, I met and discuss with the
disaster affected community. It comes up clearly that the behavior and practice
for disaster preparedness in community has changed. The community
which has access to government schemes and services have become fully
depend on the government for disaster preparedness plan, relief and recovery,
the dependent community faced
destruction in any kind of the disaster. Traditional practices and disaster
preparedness methods were the important
part of the community which used to be deal with disasters and also in
mitigation of the risk of the disaster. Nowadays, government and development agencies seem as
an only stakeholder responsible for dealing with the disaster preparedness and
responses, the Community knowledge no matter.
Here are few statements of disaster
affected community
Statement 1- Our ancestors used to say
“never live near to the sea” the road constructed around Island along with the sea, So we made home near the
sea. Now everything washed away in Tsunami. ( Andaman & Nicobar Island,
India)
Statement 2 – There was protest
against construction of embankment on the river. people knew that preventing
flow of monsoon water will raise level of river and it might causes flood in
the villages which are within the
embankment and also dangerous for the villages which are nearer to the
embankment.( Bihar, India)
Statement 3- Floods regularly occur in
our area, so we have our traditional way to handle it, before monsoon, we all
villagers collect money and utilize it to maintenance the embankment, if we
depend on others, which can be dangerous for our future. ( Bihar, India)
Statement 4: Flood is good for us
because in flood it is easy to travel on dongi
(small boat) but in dry days travel by road is difficult. Flood brings
fertilize soil with it. (Bihar, India)
Statement 5: It had been seventy years, our village did
not face such kind of flash flood, and new generation doesn’t have skill to
deal with the situation. That why community is fully dependent on government
and other people. ( Bihar, India)
Statement 6: Every year River ( Brahamaputra) takes away
our land, that’s why we build house from local easily available material.
Whenever flood alert announced we shift our house to safe places. (Assam, India)
Community knowledge is the most
trusted and reliable method to deal with the disaster is an asset for any
country, because community skill and knowledge helps them to be safe and also
reduce dependency on the stakeholders like government and development agencies.
I would like to hear from all of you. What is your experience regarding the
traditional knowledge and skill of community. Whether it worth to carry forward
or traditional knowledge should be forgotten?
Share you experience and word.
.png)
