The Project for Natural Disaster Management in Forest Areas in Uttarakhand

Background
In June 2013, as an aftereffect of heavy rains in the Himalayan region, the unexpected large scale destruction due to floods and landslides caused tremendous loss to human life and property in Uttarakhand. More than 6,000 people were declared dead or missing in 4,200 villages, primarily in the northern area of the State. This is, by any yardstick, one of the largest natural calamities in India.
Responding to the calamity, the disaster management component of the ODA loan project, “Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project” (hereinafter referred to as “UFRMP”) and the Technical Cooperation Project (TCP), namely ”the Project for Natural Disaster Management in Forest Areas in Uttarakhand” has been commenced to enhance the capacity of Uttarakhand Forest Department and the preparedness of the people of Uttarakhand against sediment-related disaster in future.

Overall goal

  • Erosion control works for slope disaster management in the forest areas are appropriately implemented in Uttarakhand.
  • Knowledge and technology on erosion control works are disseminated to other Himalayn States.

Activities

  • On-site training
    Three model sites were selected where erosion control works will be carried out during the project. At each site, surveys are being carried out respectively and Japanese techniques will be applied. Through the construction procedure of these sites, Japanese technology will be transferred by Japanese Experts to Indian officials and engineers.
  • Off-site training
    Practical trainings of erosion control works in hilly areas will be held three times in Japan during the project. Task team member (officers and staff of Uttrakhand Forest Department) and engineers of UFRMP will participate and obtain knowledge and experiences about Japanese technology of erosion control works.
  • Guidelines
    Guidelines, manual, standard operating procedure for erosion control works will be prepared.
  • Slope Disaster Location Map
    Slope disaster location map and inventory of the existing slope disaster will be prepared to comprehend the situation of slope disaster in the forest areas in Uttarakhand. The map and inventory shall be used by UKFD for making management plan of slope disaster mitigation in forest areas in Uttarakhand.
  • Other necessary activities to achieve TCP’s overall goal

Input
Input by Japan

  • Long-term Expert：Chief Advisory/Erosion Control Planning, Coordinator/Erosion Control Training.
  • Short-term Expert：Field survey for erosion control works, design and estimation for erosion control works, supervision of erosion control works, other short-term experts upon the necessity.
  • Training in Japan (three times during the project)
  • Machinery and Equipment：Vehicles, equipment for field survey

Input by India

  • Counterparts such as Project Director, Additional Project Director, Task Managers and members of each task team
  • Suitable office, facilities, staff, running expenses and any other things which are necessary for the JICA experts to carry out their activities.

Signing Date：29th August 2016
Duration：Five years, from 26th March, 2017 to 25th March 2022
Counterpart： Uttarakhand Forest Department