Shillong: Natural disasters in the North East and strategies for management and regional connectivity were in focus during the 20th Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Zone III here on July 29.
Speaking on the former subject, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the northeastern region is a hotspot of biodiversity and any ecological disturbance event here can have far-reaching effects on environmental stability across India.
He stressed the need for better preparedness for disaster risk reduction and management in such sensitive areas and noted that “it is necessary to formulate policies that prevent irreparable or excessive damage to the ecosystem due to natural disasters”.
Speaking about the policy of disaster management, Birla said, “We need to focus on the Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda, which emphasises the need to build local capacities and initiatives. The Indian development model is based on sustainability and over the period of time, with the use of technology and optimum utilisation of human resources, we have strengthened disaster preparedness and management.”
On regional connectivity to bring the North East on par with mainland India, Birla said the region has the economic potential to come at par with mainland India.
“For this, development of infrastructure is a necessity. In this context,” he said and referred to several projects like PM Gati Shakti, expansion of the national highways in the North East, increase in the number of operational airports under UDAN scheme and developments in the telecom sector, inland waterways, forest sanctuaries, industrial parks etc.
“Apart from the development of infrastructure in this area, efforts are also being made at the level of international dimension to create a ‘focal point’ of regional cooperation and connectivity in Asia and India’s Act East, which will enhance regional solidarity at the political, economic and social level,” he added.
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