MSSRF | Events & Conferences | Highlights

Highlights of the Media workshop

Managing Tsunami - Lessons of 26 December 2004

held on 26 December 2005.

Welcome Address by Dr.Velayutham, Executive Director, MSSRF:
Dr.Velayutham categorised the post tsunami action into three, namely Immediate (January to March 2005), Medium Term (2005-2007) and Long term (2005-2010). He also mentioned the partners and supporters of the Tsunami programmes. Reviving and rebuilding of fishermen livelihood, bio-shields, information empowerment through ICT, agronomic rehabilitation, capacity building on bio-shields & livelihoods and village knowledge centres also were part of his welcome speech.

Moderator speech by Prof.M.S.Swaminathan:

Prof.M.S.Swaminathan in his speech mentioned about the research on occurrence of disasters and disaster warning systems, for which he drew reference from "Nature" a journal, which pointed out, "five major events per year are expected". He said that identification of areas for post tsunami measures is very important. People should have multiple livelihoods to survive disasters. He spoke about "Components of Management" and also about the need for "Post Disaster Reconstruction Research Strategies and Issues". He also emphasised that traditional wisdom should be integrated into modern techniques for the benefit of the humans to face disasters.

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Presentation by Dr.V.Selvam on Bio-shields:

While speaking about the importance and significance about the bio-shields he also mentioned about the restoration of the mangroves in Pichavaram area of Tamil Nadu. He explained in detail how mangroves with its numerous roots could act like a wall against cyclones and tsunamis and also about the care to be taken about the ecology and environment while planting the mangroves.

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Presentation by Mr.Senthil Kumaran on Village Resource Centre:

He spoke in detail about the structure of the village knowledge centres. He clearly differentiated between the village knowledge centres and village resource centres. He brought out the activities of the village knowledge centres and how information is taken to the community. He also specified the benefits that are achieved by the community from the village knowledge centres.

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Presentation by Dr.Ajay Kumar Parida on Bio-village:

Dr.Ajay Kumar Parida mentioned about the area of project implementation and also about the extent of damage done by tsunami to these areas. The objectives of the project were clearly explained by him and also the activities done to achieve the objectives were shown with specific examples. He also mentioned the activities regarding bio-shields and micro enterprises in his presentation.

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Presentation by Dr.P.Thamizholi on Education:

He emphasised that the most affected due to the Tsunami were children and students. He spoke about the rehabilitation measures of the State Government. He also mentioned about the activities of MSSRF along with Bharat Soka Gakkai programme and friends of MSSRF for the rehabilitation of the orphaned children and also about the observations from the field.

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Presentation by Dr.M.Velayutham on Agronomic Rehabilitation:

He spoke about the damaged agricultural lands by Tsunami. He also mentioned about the damaged caused by Tsunami to water and soil bodies in Nagapatinam and Cuddalore districts of Tamil Nadu. He also spoke about the travelling workshops conducted by experts from different parts of the country to develop soil health rehabilitation package. He also described about the metal analysis of the clay deposit in his presentation and brought out the farmers' request about the flood tolerant variety of rice. He said integrated farming should be done for betterment of small and medium farmers.

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Presentation by Prof.P.C.Kesavan on Post Tsunami - New Andamans

He spoke about the scientific facts about Tsunami like its magnitude, energy released, shifts in sea floor, rupture length etc. He also spoke about the level of development and impact of natural disasters. He said integrating elements of disaster preparedness and sustainable development for enhancing resilience of Vulnerable Communities is the need of the hour. He also mentioned about the activities and major recommendations for post tsunami rehabilitation measures.

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Views of the of the community and others :

"Packages for orphaned children have been done which is an idea of Prof.M.S.Swaminathan. Social and Psychological factors cause a big setback in the rehabilitation process. Packages have to be designed on a case-to-case basis depending on the needs of the children individually. Psychological damage has to be set right first before any other rehabilitation measure could be initiated and NGOs play a major role in the activities at the grass root level."

-Mr.Karmegam, Chief Educational Officer, Kanyakumari

"The mud wall developed by MSSRF has been saving the villages from sea water entering the village during full moon day and no moon day."

-Mr.Ravi Nagapattinam District

"MSSRF has created awareness about the benefits and advantages of mangrove forests. We had practically seen those benefits ourselves."

-Mr.Kumar, MGR Nagar, Cuddalore District

"During the recent Tsunami the villagers used the Village Knowledge Centre to alert the people of the village and everyone was saved. The Village Knowledge Centre has many benefits, application for relief measures, relief measures arrival announcement, survey of under nourished children with the help of GIPMER to name a few."

-Mr.Ezhumalai, VKC, Veerampattinam, Pondicherry.

"Financial accounts of SHGs maintained by us in the VKC has helped solve many problems among the SHGs. Details about job vacancies are made available by the VKC on the "Grama Thagaval Palagai". Information about the sea is explained to the house-hold women at their places using laptops. Apart from this children get training on computers right from the age of two. It also helps students to learn through multimedia software. Adult literacy programme to improve literacy among adults are also undertaken by VKC."

-Ms.Sujatha, VKC, Kovalam.

"The needs of the community regarding the details of sea and fish are accomplished through internet in the VKC. Medical information regarding childcare is also made available through the VKC. The community from the VKC can access details of further studies after higher secondary."

-Mr.Ramesh, VKC, Akkaraipettai

"Through the SHG alternate livelihoods have been provided to the community of the village. Training and capacity building with regard to establishment and running of SHGs are being given to us apart from financial support by MSSRF. In addition to this jobs are also provided through the bio shield restoration process to the community."

-Ms.Kanagavalli, SHG, Sadraskuppam.

"Our village which is just two kilometres from the sea was badly affected by Tsunami. All the cultivation lands were damaged and the farmers have totally stopped cultivating. At this juncture MSSRF entered and reinstated cultivation in our village again by taking a piece of land and cultivating it. The staff of MSSRF also provided advice and information on the process of cultivation. Special varieties of seeds and rice were also provided to us by MSSRF to improve cultivation."

-Mr.Bharathi Raja, Medavasal.