Role of Forest Department in Disaster Management

Disasters brought on by extreme weather events (such as droughts, storms, floods, hurricanes, and cyclones), other natural phenomena (such as fire, outbreaks of animal and plant pests, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions), and human conflicts (such as civil unrest and armed conflicts that uproot people) can cause forest degradation and deforestation. Such catastrophes inevitably affect the supply of forest goods and environmental services, endangering the survival and way of life of nearby communities and the forest businesses. 

Pre-Disaster:

• The disaster management plan for the department will be developed based on an analysis by the Hazard Vulnerability Risk Capacity Assessment (HVRC) and with the active participation of all concerned lines departments and local authorities in the district.
• The Deputy Commissioner/District Collector/District Magistrate in the affected districts/subdivisions/tehsils should be informed. If more personnel are needed, those on leave should be called back.
• Locate grazing or fodder areas in the event of a disaster.
• Ensure that adequate supplies are available for the affected people so that they can rebuild their homes and cremate their dead.
• The maximum number of plantations should be made during and after disasters.
• A special meeting needs to be called to assess the situation. A mission and strategy should be developed to enable these objectives to be realised.
• It is possible to open up certain forest land for free grazing during a disaster when there is not enough fodder available.
• Forestry areas may not have free access to fodder, so permit its transportation.
• Bamboo and wooden poles should be reduced in price for use in disaster relief and reconstruction. They should be made available to all departments that need them.
• If employees are on leave, they should be reminded to return to work in their areas of responsibility such as the divisional office or the departmental wards.

In times of crisis, forest officers should serve as leaders and resources that can help with rescue and relief efforts. All levels of foresters should receive proper training on topics including first aid, artificial respiration, bioterrorism, epidemics, and attacks on wild animals, among others, both during their first induction and later on in their careers. With the right technology, tribal people’s traditional knowledge on how to deal with disasters might be harnessed and strengthened.