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Hyderabad , Nov. 10

EXPERTS from different fields have gathered at the National Academy of Construction (NAC) facility near here to discuss `Disasters', both natural and man-made, which wreck havoc each year on the lives of people and hit economies the world over.

With a view to discussing the issue threadbare, the organisers have bifurcated the subject into 24 different aspects to cover virtually every `disaster'. Besides taking into account various natural disasters, the conference has lined up disasters related to accidents, ground water and economy.

Addressing the inaugural session, Mr R.C. Sinha, Director-General of NAC and Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, said India remained the worst-affected country as far as disaster-related sufferings went.

"The most vulnerable groups, including women, are affected first and get the relief least. Disasters invariably make the poor poorer, with the people belonging to high-income groups, higher castes and those close to political hierarchy getting a major share of relief," he said. The three-day meet on `Disaster management infrastructure and control systems-2003' is expected to get about 150 papers on various aspects of disaster and methods to reducing their impact.

Briefing about the conference, Prof. Y. Anjaneyulu, Coordinator of the conference, said disasters were major obstacles for sustainable development. "They (disasters) pose a major threat to the global economy. We have to have a holistic approach to counter them," he said.

Stating that number of disasters had been doubled in the last decade, he asserted that impact of natural disasters could be lessened.

Ms V.S. Rama Devi, Former Governor of Himachal Pradesh, said she was more concerned about those disasters which could be foreseen. Focusing on abusing environment, she said a coordinated act was needed to mitigate environmental pollution.

Lamenting the lack of interest among film producers in making documentaries on issues related to environment, she said the Government was giving Rs 35 lakh for making such educative documentaries. "Yet there's no a proper response," she said.

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