Traditional inputs in disaster management: the case of Amparav, North India

Abstract

As suggested by field records, elaborate mitigative planning for the protection of an area around Amparav in North India from the threat of landslide have been in place for nearly a century. The landslide management plan incorporates essentials of both structural and non‐structural mitigative measures that reflect a thorough understanding by the landslide managers of the mass wastage processes involved. Implementation of this plan safeguarded this highly fragile zone that is neotectonically active and that has historically been threatened by stream erosion. However, critical lack of awareness of the plan among ordinary villagers led to its being rendered inoperable; culminating in the Amparav tragedy of the 23 September 2004 that took three human lives and destroyed huge amounts of public and private property and infrastructure facilities.