🗂️ Topic: Disaster Management / Projects / Governance

Centre Approves ₹3,027.86 Crore for Lightning, Drought, and Forest Fire Mitigation

Introduction

The Government of India, through a High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has approved ₹3,027.86 crore for various disaster mitigation projects. The decision reflects the government’s proactive approach to building a disaster-resilient India, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for strengthening state-level capabilities in disaster risk reduction.

⚡ Lightning Safety Initiatives

• ₹186.78 crore allocated to improve lightning safety in 50 high-risk districts across 10 states:
  • Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal
• Focus:
  • Reducing fatalities
  • Enhancing early warning systems
  • Promoting public awareness and infrastructure safety

🌾 Drought Mitigation Support

• ₹2,022.16 crore allocated to 12 drought-prone states
• Central assistance of ₹1,200 crore included
• States covered:
  • Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh
• Objective:
  • Boost water resource management
  • Improve agricultural resilience
  • Support long-term climate adaptation

🔥 Forest Fire Risk Management

• ₹818.92 crore approved for 144 high-priority districts in 19 states
• Funding structure:
  • ₹690.63 crore from NDMF and NDRF
• Focus areas:
  • Prevention infrastructure
  • Early warning systems
  • Response preparedness and community training

📌 Earlier Disaster Mitigation Projects (Background)

• ₹3,075.65 crore earlier sanctioned for urban flood risk management in 7 major cities
• Other funded projects included:
  • Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) mitigation in 4 states
  • Landslide risk reduction in 15 states
• Total disaster mitigation funding in FY: ₹24,981 crore+

Conclusion

These funding initiatives mark a decisive move toward decentralized disaster resilience, focusing on localized risks like lightning, drought, and forest fires. As India faces growing climate-related challenges, such proactive investment in risk reduction and community preparedness will be crucial for sustainable and inclusive growth.