Mandi (Munish Sood)
The Himachal Pradesh government has partnered with the French Development Agency (AFD) to implement the Himachal Pradesh-Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Project (HP-DRRRP).
The programme agreement was signed on January 10, 2025, at the HP Secretariat in Shimla, under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena.
The agreement was signed by Nishant Thakur, Additional Secretary and Project Director, PMU, on behalf of Himachal Pradesh government, and Camille Severac, Deputy Country Director for India, AFD, in the presence of Anshula Menon, Resilience/DRR Sector Portfolio Manager.
Flagship initiative for disaster resilience
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena described the HP-DRRRP as a flagship project by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), aiming to reduce the state’s vulnerability to natural hazards through robust disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies. The project is backed by €100 million in funding from AFD.
“This initiative will strengthen disaster resilience in Himachal Pradesh by enhancing government and community capacities to mitigate and adapt to natural hazards,” said Saxena.
Key focus areas of the project
- Institutional Strengthening: The project will bolster the capacities of HPSDMA, District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), and Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs). It will include Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments (CCVA), develop Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, and establish the Himalayan Center for Disaster Risk Reduction. Gender-inclusive resilience strategies and IT-based disaster management solutions are also emphasized.
- Preparedness and Emergency Response: Enhanced early warning systems (EWS) for natural hazards, flood forecasting capabilities, forest fire mitigation, and specialized State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) units are central to this component. The project will also establish fire stations, helipads, and conduct extensive disaster response training.
- Mitigation and Eco-DRR Initiatives: The project will implement landslide mitigation measures, establish bioengineering nurseries, and promote climate-resilient infrastructure. Innovative solutions will be showcased through Technology Demonstration Units (TDUs).
Anticipated benefits
Onkar Chand Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), highlighted that the project will enhance departmental readiness for effective disaster management across all phases of a disaster.
Nishant Thakur shared that early warning systems for agriculture, horticulture, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) will provide timely alerts, significantly reducing the impact of disasters. “With these measures, the state is poised to save thousands of lives and minimise hazards,” he stated.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards building a disaster-resilient Himachal Pradesh, ensuring safety and sustainability for its people and environment.
