A High-Level Committee (HLC), chaired by the Union Home Minister has sanctioned Rs. 1115.67 crore for disaster mitigation and capacity-building projects in India. 

• Aim: To strengthen disaster resilience and preparedness across states, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a disaster-resilient India.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Key Approvals by the HLC

• National Landslide Risk Mitigation (NLRM) Project : The HLC approved Rs. 1000 crore for mitigating landslide risks across 15 states, enhancing safety in vulnerable regions.This initiative is part of the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and addresses a critical need to reduce landslide-induced damages in vulnerable regions.
• Training and Capacity Building for Civil Defence:The HLC approved a funding of Rs. 115.67 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
• • Objective: Training Civil Defense volunteers across all States and Union Territories to improve disaster preparedness and response.

Need for NLRM Project

• India’s Landslide Risk: India ranks among the top four countries with the highest landslide risk, according to the ISRO Landslide Atlas of India.
• Prevention and Prediction: Unlike earthquakes and tsunamis, landslides can be both prevented and predicted, enabling proactive disaster management.
• Scientific Culture: The NLRM project aims to promote a culture of scientific investigation, analysis, and management of landslides, enhancing preparedness and mitigation.

What is a Landslide?

• Definition: Landslide refers to the downward movement of rock, soil, and debris on a slope, which can range from small shifts to massive, destructive events.
• Causes: Landslides can be caused by factors such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, human activities like construction or mining, and changes in groundwater levels.

Earlier Initiatives to Tackle Landslides

• National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019): A comprehensive document addressing landslide disaster risk reduction and management.
• Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS):Provides financial support for site-specific landslide mitigation projects.
  • Focuses on disaster prevention, mitigation, research and development (R&D) in monitoring critical landslides, early warning systems, and capacity building.
• Flood Risk Mitigation Scheme (FRMS): A scheme under preparation for activities such as developing multi-purpose flood shelters and river basin-specific flood early warning systems.
• National Guidelines on Landslides and Snow Avalanches: Prepared by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to guide activities for mitigating landslide risks.
• Landslide Atlas of India: Details landslides in landslide-prone regions of India.
  • Prepared by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO.
• National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping Program: Initiated by the Geological Survey of India in 2014-15 to identify landslide-prone areas.

About the National Disaster Mitigation Fund

• Establishment: The National Disaster Mitigation Fund was established by the Central Government in 2021 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, based on the recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission.
• Administered By: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
• Purpose: The fund is exclusively for financing mitigation projects related to various disasters.

Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store

About the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• Establishment: NDMA was established on 27th September 2006 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Chairperson: The Prime Minister of India serves as the Chairperson of NDMA.
• Members: NDMA consists of nine other members apart from the Chairperson.
• Primary Responsibility: The primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the respective State Governments.
• National Policy: The National Policy on Disaster Management creates an enabling environment for disaster management at the Centre, state, and district levels.

Previous Approvals for Disaster Mitigation

DOWNLOAD PDF