Daragaon sensitised on Urban Risk Reduction Programme

A jhora flowing near the venue of the URR meeting was cleared by the GMC last November. It's getting clogged with waste again.

WARD COUNCILLOR FLAGS BLOCKAGE OF JHORAS AS A WORRY
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: A meeting on “Sensitisation on Urban Risk Reduction Programme” for Daragaon ward in Gangtok was organized by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) at Hotel Comfort Inn here on 05 February, a press release informs.
The programme which was chaired by the Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, and commenced with a welcome speech by Councillor, Daragoan Ward, Bhasker Basnett, who detailed civic problems and suggestions for Daragoan ward, highlighting the blockage of drains and jhoras due to rampant waste disposal that could lead to different hazards in the future, informs the release.
The State Project Officer, SSDMA, Bhupendra Sharma shed light on the background information and current progress with respect to URR Programme for the state.
DPO (East), Karma Dorjee Wazalingpa, made a presentation on Community Based Development Preparedness (CBDP). Various mappings, resources and other considerations towards achieving CDBP were also explained.
DPO (North) Sonam Lepcha, made a presentation on the preparation of Village Disaster Management Plans, explaining the 7-step process towards preparing a village disaster management plan – namely, review and analysis of past disasters in the area, mapping, formation of village disaster management teams, specialized training to the teams, formation of Community Contingency Fund, approval of the plan, mock drill and updating the plan. Based on the above points laid down by the DPOs, a committee will be formed for Daragaon ward and they will be trained accordingly.
Assistant Engineer, SSDMA, Dichen Namdul, presented a power-point presentation on Disaster Risk Reduction which focussed on the impact of disasters and ways to achieve risk reduction.
Common risks due to architectural and constructional features and solutions towards safe construction practices were also discussed. Urban/ Rural Planner, SSDMA Diki Wangmu Bhutia, discussed the ongoing process of techno-legal regime with respect to disaster management.  Also, IT specialist, SSDMA Ada Lawrence, spoke about the upcoming one stop knowledge centre for disaster management in the state.
Finally, the Gangtok Mayor made suggestions on the need for co-ordination and practical implementation of the URR Programme. He also stated that the programme should start from the grass root level so that even the public can participate in the process, the release adds.
Also participating in the programme were Deputy Mayor, Gangtok Municipal Corporation councillors, school teachers, Aganwadi workers, youth club members, NGOs and officials from SSDMA.