Traditional knowledge is the most effective method to deal with the disaster

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.