Kolkata: Sundarbans is one of the most climate triggered disaster-prone areas of the world with nearly 1.2 million standing at the doorstep of disasters, UN says the disasters are likely to increase.
To be set up in Sundarban’s Kumirmari island of Gosaba block, South 24 Parganas, one of the furthest and most climate vulnerable regions of the region, using a school as pivot and in close coordination with the local Gram Panchayet.
To be launched by Javed Ahmed Khan, Minister in Charge of Disaster Management and Civil Defense, Govt of West Bengal; while state Environment minister Gulam Rabbani and Sundarbans Affairs minister Bankim Hazza to join virtually, UNICEF state head Prabhat Kumar and former Sheriff of Kolkata Dr Dulal Bose, also to join in the launch.
The model is to be executed by nonprofit Environment Governed Integrated Organisation (EaGIO), with CSR support from Haldia Petrochemical Ltd.; under guidance/ association of Dept of Disaster Management and Civil Defense, Dept of Sundarbans Affairs, Dept of Environment, local Zilla Parishad /Panchayet and other fine departments of Govt of West Bengal, as well as expert organisations and community groups.
Alongside the Multipurpose Disaster Shelters set up by government; the local schools also play a key role in Sundarbans during the disasters.
The model entails upgrading the local schools generally used as temporary shelters immediately before, during and immediately after disasters, from the point of view of providing adequate security, safety, and convenience of local community.
Local community group will be set up to promote climate and disaster awareness; as well as map the vulnerable individuals and families, so that they may be evacuated during disasters at the earliest.
Emergency support materials and infrastructure to be provided including generator, emergency lights, battery operated mobile charging systems, wheel chairs, stretchers, medical box, set ups for people with illness; elderly; pregnant women; newborns; improved toilet facilities.
The model will also try to facilitate the temporary rescue facility of livestock during disasters.
According to various scientific reports, Sundarbans, a combination of 100 odd islands and nearly 5 million people, is one of the hotbeds of natural disasters at global level.
World bank report says that around one-fourth of Sundarbans population, nearly 1.2 million, are at risk; as Sundarbans has been receiving both immediate & long-term impacts of climate change at an extremely high intensity.
Series of extremely severe and severe cyclones have triggered huge disasters in recent time including Amphan, Yaas, Bulbul etc. affecting both lives and livelihoods as well as broader ecosystem. Moreover, sea level rise close to Sundarbans is around double to global average, triggering large-scale erosion.
The latest UN report, AR 6 report, show that the scale of disasters; are expected to further rise in Sundarbans with increasing frequency of high intensity cyclones; acute burst of sudden rainfall, flooding and saline ingression, and, significant sea level rise.
