Sustainable Community Rehabilitation and Ecological Restoration in Chiplun Flood Region

The contemporary development model has considerably altered the ecological systems and harmonious co-existence of human and nature. It has now taken catastrophic consequences as seen in the deadliest event of flood in Chiplun. This is a result of continuous ignorance towards the destruction of natural eco-systems like forests, soil cover and river flow. This has further led to loss of natural capabilities of defending the natural calamities like sudden rise in increased rainfall. The situation became disastrous when it reached to the city of Chiplun that was urbanised with absolute absence of climate sustainability in town planning. The flood line, drainage system, illegal constructions were deliberately ignored matters. 

The recent massive flood in Chiplun is no doubt an effect of this rampant exploitation of nature. Unsuspecting indigenous people, farming and fishing communities have been mute spectators to this devastating ecological and economic disaster. It is time to take stock and mitigate this devastation and stand with the Communities who need support to recover from this massive flood. It is also important to upskill them with suitable livelihood capacities to cope up with the situation. There is currently tremendous unmet need working to rehabilitate such communities as well. 

This is a two years long attempt under the title “Sustainable Community Rehabilitation and Ecological Restoration” to bring back the livable and sustainable condition in the flood-affected region of Chiplun. 

The flood has caused tremendous damage to property, life, and people’s livelihoods. It now threatens people's health with immediate risk of hunger, poverty and further loss of life. Covid-19 pandemic, frequent lockdown, and now the flood has broken down the back bone of rural economy. Given the scale of devastation, tremendous efforts are now required to help people rebuild their lives. The action involves quick responses as well as long term interventions as follow –

• To ensure direct relief to the flood affected population through community kitchen, medicine, clothes, and utilities.
• To attend both the physical and mental health vulnerabilities of the women and children duo to flood conditions.
• To address educational accessibilities the children duo to flood conditions.
• To enhance livelihood opportunities affected by the flood conditions.
• To ensure the restoration of ecological loss in the context of flood conditions.
• To connect and co-operate with civil society initiatives on advocacy for community rehabilitation and sustainable ecosystem restoration.

• The rapid response through relief support to the flood affected population is very essential for the recovery from flood distress. The support from community kitchen, medicine, clothes, and utilities would help them sustaining their immediate needs of survival.
• The vulnerable population like women and children would be attended on primary and priority basis to attain the principle of equity during the disaster crisis.
• The specialised attention in the field of mental and physical health, nutrition and livelihood enhancement by the medical practitioners, counsellors, social workers and livelihood specialists would help the flood affected population recover and advance their social life scientifically organised.
• The ecological restoration activities like plantation of native species, soil-water conservation, and organic farming and kitchen garden practices would mutually benefit to the ecological restoration and health and immunity improvement of the community.
• The co-operation with civil society initiatives on advocacy for community rehabilitation and sustainable ecosystem restoration would reflect in the larger context of social change and good governance in the social systems.