India is prone to several hydro-meteorological disasters, viz. floods, cyclone, drought
and disease epidemics, known to have been aggravated under the impact of climate
change. Disaster Management Plan at District level (DDMP) prepared as per statutory
requirement, seldom envisaged risk mitigation or role of developmental activities, and
remained a contingency coordination charter, due to lack of orientation to consider
climatic scenarios and consequences relevant to development and disaster preparedness.
Flood vulnerability of land and people in North India remained un-attenuated with
resultant disaster situations almost every year due to uncertain and frequent climate
hazards in the Districts like Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. A pilot action research was
undertaken by the team comprising of NIDM, GEAG and ISET (US), in collaboration
with District Disaster Management Authority during 2012-13, to understand
prevailing and emerging risks in the light of climatic projections, and their relevance
to department-wise developmental activities and plans. The process involved series
of workshops, consultations and shared leanings, which led to improved and climate
resilient developmental plans at district level, and finally a climate-sensitive and
adaptive DDMP as a model. A Training Manual based on Gorakhpur model of CCADRR
integration at district level, and a Delhi declaration on ‘Resilient Housing’ (2014)
were other outcomes. This paper discusses the approach and process, enabling factors
and outcome, comparing with other approaches and pathways of integrating CCA and
DRR at different levels.