Understanding Eco-DRR
Definition (UNEP/PEDRR)
Eco-DRR is the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems to reduce disaster risk, with the aim of achieving sustainable and resilient development.
Core Principles & Paradigm Shift
Eco-DRR leverages the inherent capacities of ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and coral reefs to provide protective services. It represents a shift from relying solely on 'grey' engineered structures to a holistic approach incorporating 'green' (natural ecosystems) and 'hybrid' (green-grey) solutions.
It's intrinsically linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) for climate change, offering multiple co-benefits.
The Journey of Eco-DRR
Traditional Knowledge
Indigenous communities have used ecosystem-based approaches for centuries (e.g., windbreaks, sacred groves).
Post-2004 Tsunami
A turning point. Areas with intact mangroves/reefs suffered less, catalyzing global interest in coastal ecosystem protection.
Hyogo Framework (2005-2015)
Acknowledged underlying risk factors, including environmental degradation.
Rise of "Ecosystem Services"
Growing scientific valuation of ecosystem services, including DRR benefits.
Sendai Framework (2015-2030)
Explicitly recognizes ecosystem management in DRR (Priority 3: Investing in DRR for resilience).
Global Partnerships
PEDRR, UNEP, IUCN, WWF, World Bank increasingly integrate Eco-DRR into policies and projects.
Ecosystems: Our Natural Defenders
Forests & Woodlands
Regulate floods, control landslides & soil erosion, mitigate droughts, act as windbreaks. Example: Loess Plateau, China reforestation significantly reduced soil erosion and improved livelihoods.
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- Flood Regulation: Canopy interception, enhanced infiltration, slowed runoff.
- Landslide Control: Root reinforcement, reduced soil saturation.
- Drought Mitigation: Groundwater recharge, microclimate regulation.
Wetlands
Attenuate floods, mitigate droughts, provide coastal protection, purify water. Example: Mississippi Delta wetlands' degradation worsened Hurricane Katrina's impact.
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- Flood Attenuation: Natural sponges, store floodwater, slow release.
- Water Supply: Recharge aquifers, maintain base flows.
- Coastal Protection: Marshes absorb wave energy, stabilize shorelines.
Mangrove Ecosystems
Protect coasts from storms, control erosion, buffer tsunamis. Example: Bhitarkanika mangroves, Odisha, reduced 1999 Supercyclone impact.
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- Storm Protection: Dense roots & canopy reduce wave energy and storm surge.
- Erosion Control: Trap sediments, stabilize shorelines.
- Co-benefits: Fisheries, carbon sequestration (blue carbon).
Coral Reefs
Attenuate waves (up to 97%), stabilize shorelines. Example: Maldives reefs provided protection during 2004 Tsunami.
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- Wave Attenuation: Natural submerged breakwaters.
- Shoreline Stabilization: Reduce erosion, maintain beaches.
- Threats: Bleaching & degradation reduce protective capacity.
Coastal Dunes & Vegetation
Natural barriers against storm waves, high tides, and coastal flooding. Vegetation stabilizes sand, preventing erosion.
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- Storm Protection: Physical barrier to wave action.
- Erosion Control: Dune grasses bind sand.
- Management: Planting native vegetation, controlling access.
Grasslands & Rangelands
Control soil erosion, improve water infiltration, enhance drought resilience. Well-managed grasslands regulate wildfire dynamics.
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- Soil Erosion Control: Cover protects soil from wind/water.
- Water Infiltration: Improves soil structure.
- Drought Resilience: Native species are often drought-tolerant.
Healthy Soils: The Unsung Hero
Soils rich in organic matter improve water infiltration and storage, reduce runoff, support plant growth, and sequester carbon. Practices like conservation agriculture, organic farming, and agroforestry enhance soil health for DRR.
Eco-DRR in the Disaster Cycle
Prevention & Mitigation
Ecosystem protection/restoration, sustainable land use planning, mainstreaming Eco-DRR into policies.
Preparedness
Community awareness, integrating Eco-DRR into early warning systems, capacity building.
Response
Minimizing environmental damage during operations, sustainable use of ecosystem resources, rapid environmental impact assessment.
Recovery ("Build Back Better")
Integrating ecological restoration, promoting Nature-based Solutions for resilient infrastructure, avoiding maladaptive reconstruction.
Weighing Eco-DRR: Benefits & Hurdles
Advantages of Eco-DRR
- Cost-Effectiveness: Often cheaper long-term than hard engineering.
- Multiple Co-benefits: DRR, biodiversity, climate mitigation/adaptation, livelihoods.
- Sustainability & Self-Repair: Ecosystems can be self-maintaining and adaptive.
- Flexibility & Adaptability: Applicable at various scales, tailored to local contexts.
- Community Acceptance: Builds on local knowledge, empowers communities.
- No Regret Options: Benefits even without disasters.
Challenges in Implementation
- Limited Awareness: Not fully mainstreamed in planning.
- Economic Valuation: Quantifying DRR benefits is difficult.
- Timescales: Restoration benefits take time.
- Land Requirements: Competition with other land uses.
- Inter-Sectoral Coordination: Requires collaboration across many sectors.
- Capacity Gaps: Scientific and technical expertise needed.
- Governance Barriers: Lack of supportive policies or institutions.
- Limits of Eco-DRR: Finite capacity against extreme events; hybrid solutions often best.
- Climate Change Impacts: Can degrade ecosystems, reducing their DRR effectiveness.
Conceptual: Eco-DRR Co-Benefits
Eco-DRR projects often deliver more than just disaster reduction. (Illustrative)
Eco-DRR in India
Challenges for India
Rapid urbanization, infrastructure pressures, degradation of existing ecosystems, need for greater integration into sectoral planning, capacity building, and robust monitoring.
India is increasingly recognizing Eco-DRR in national policies like the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) and National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The NDMP specifically mentions roles for MoEFCC in promoting Eco-DRR.
Key Flagship Programs with Eco-DRR Components
- MGNREGS: Water conservation, afforestation, watershed management.
- PMKSY (Watershed Development): Soil & water conservation, groundwater recharge.
- Green India Mission & CAMPA: Afforestation and forest regeneration.
- Namami Gange Programme: Afforestation along river banks, wetland conservation.
- National Coastal Mission: Protection of mangroves and coral reefs.
Judicial pronouncements and civil society initiatives also play a crucial role in advocating for and implementing Eco-DRR approaches at local levels.
UPSC Examination Relevance
Key Focus Areas
Prelims Spotlight
- Concept of Eco-DRR/Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for DRR.
- Specific examples of ecosystems (mangroves, wetlands, forests, coral reefs) and their disaster mitigation roles.
- Sendai Framework and its emphasis on DRR (especially Priority 3).
- Key Indian programs with Eco-DRR components (MGNREGS, PMKSY, Green India Mission).
- International initiatives like PEDRR.
Mains Perspective (GS-I, GS-III)
Potential question areas:
- Defining Eco-DRR and discussing its role in mitigating disasters in India with examples.
- Critical evaluation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for DRR and climate change adaptation in India (potential & challenges).
- Comparing/contrasting "green infrastructure" (ecosystems) with "grey infrastructure" for disaster management.
- Role of community participation in Eco-DRR.
- Linkages between Eco-DRR, Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Analyzing how environmental degradation exacerbates disasters.