Cyclone AILA – A brief review
Saturday, July 25th, 2009
It has been almost three months since the devastating cyclone struck the Sunderbans delta. And the battle still continues with poor rain falls, no agriculture followed by the hungry autumn looming large. Thousands of villagers have been displaced; many more have already migrated to the cities leaving behind their heavy hearts, but millions have no choice but to stay back and continue their day-to-day battle in this hostile terrain. The cyclone had hit the Bengal coast on Monday, 25th of May 2009 and has left a massive trail of destruction in different parts of the state. The scale of destruction and the suffering of the effected people were unprecedented.
A long-term plan for creating livelihood options, rebuilding houses, repairing schools and creating fresh and clean water sources is still awaited although reconstruction of man-made embankments has been possible in most of the affected areas. Despite the human tragedy and loss of properties that the cyclone and subsequent floods had caused, the mangrove forests of Sunderbans and its animal life have been mostly intact.
The government’s response to the cyclone devastation was immediate but the relief operations delayed to start as local communication systems were found to be paralyzed and many areas inaccessible by the impact of the cyclone. The army and Border Security Force personals were called in for carrying out rescue operations and air dropping of food packets in the inaccessible terrains. NGOs played a vital role in the relief, rescue and rebuilding operations cutting across all corners.
The Government of India had incepted the Natural Disaster Management Program (NDMP) in 1992-93 following the devastating Latur earthquake to suggest a long-term strategy for managing natural disasters in the country, but from the reaction of NDMP after the cyclone it seems they have not realized that costs of disaster mitigation are far more economical than spending huge money on relief and rehabilitation.
It is beyond any doubt that after a natural disaster of such an extreme magnitude, in which properties and lives of countless people are devastated, anger against the government administration is usual. The Aila affected legendary Sunderbans islanders have been exceptional and have demonstrated their towering courage, resilience and unfathomable fighting spirit instead of showing any anger. One can still see smile on their faces!
Help Tourism and ACT along with their partners, associates, supporters, patrons, and friends have been working non-stop in the villages since 25th May. Our team of volunteers visited most of the affected islands and tried to help out the communities by providing medical assistance, food, water, temporary shelters, clothes, lanterns, mosquito nets, torches, tents. Several thousands of ponds have been dewatered with the help of our pump sets and embankments have been repaired in Bali and adjoining Islands. Medical camps are being regularly organized with specialist doctors and our trained health volunteers. Mangrove plantation programme has already begun to protect the embankments and villages. Support has been extended to the local schools so that normal classes can resume. A mobile medical boat has been placed to provide medical assistance and medicines to far flung areas. This mobile medical facility has a fast-moving ambulance boat also so that the serious patients can be shifted to referral and specialty hospitals.
Many individuals and friends have generously extended support to help us continue our work. It is impossible to mention every one’s name here as the list is long. We apologize for that. Complete details will be available on the website of ACT(www.actnowornevr.org) soon. We and our local partner in Sunderbans Bali Nature & Wildlife Conservation Society are grateful to Wildlife Protection Society of India, Sanctuary Asia, Hemendra Kothari Foundation, Samarpan Foundation, Parabar Cultural Group, Cyclone Aila 2009 Facebook Support Group, Charities Aid Foundation India, West Bengal Voluntary Health Association, Diakonie, Modella Caretaker Centre & School for their generous contribution, support and encouragement.
It is indeed important to mention at this stage about the exemplary and responsible participation of the Travel Industry. Our partners and associates in the Responsible Tourism Network (www.rtnetworking.org.), representing global solidarity to responsible tourism practices, extended all possible support and stood by the effected people of Sunderbans from the day one of the Aila menace. We are particularly grateful to The Blue Yonder (India), Social Tour.com Travels (Nepal), Travel to Care (India & Denmark) and Grass Route Journeys (India) for their leadership and initiatives.
We hope to have all of them with us as the battle continues……..
Judges at the TTF-Hyderabad (3rd to 5th July 2009) felt that “Help Tourism’s sustained effort to safeguard the environment and involve the local communities in conservation through tourism has been an example of best practices in what is truly meant by EcoTourism”.
The Dibang Valley Jungle Camp, in Mishmi Hills, Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, is a new project, only recently launched by Help Tourism. Judges honored the camp as “Most Innovative Tourism Product 2009“.
Few members of the Lava Hotel & Restaurant Association, of the Driver Welfare Association and the Forest Department were around to share their experiences: A process has started and few cleaning and burning sessions have been organised. Both local people and visitors have recognised that something is happening. The Forest Department has adopted Klaus’ technology of the staggered grills for the construction of three incinerators that are located on strategic points in Lava. Places for waste-separation have been set aside next to the incinerators but practical implementation is only in the very beginning. Cleaning and burning are currently organised rather in form of events than with a clearly defined responsibility for permanent service and maintenance. Having two dedicated “village cleaners” for four incinerators is an odd relation. A broader community involvement, the establishment and use of a recycling and collection system, and a general commitment towards a cleaner Lava are issues that are addressed in formal and informal meetings. But the villagers are realistic enough to know that it is a long way.
