Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of Environmental Hazards –A Case Study Of Patharpratima Block, (Sundarban Delta Region) South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Like every natural phenomena, natural hazards are common occurrences which can distract, modify and influence the residential environment, economy society and culture as well. Hazard is thus regarded as the disaster situation, in which some risk of disaster exists because the human population has set itself in situation of vulnerability. The occurrence of hazard largely depends upon location of any region. Thus any region with a mere fragile physical location is more prone to hazardous situations. These regions are known as the vulnerable ones as all those are intensely used by human being. Vulnerability is both physical and social in nature. An assessment of the risks faced by any region thus gives an idea regarding vulnerability of the same. The present study is regarding the vulnerability and risk assessment of the Patharpratima block of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. In this study an attempt has been taken to bring forward how the block is vulnerable to certain natural threats which have been clearly explained by an assessment of the risks faced by the same. The major objective of this study is to find out the vulnerability of the study area, both environmental and social and providing an assessment of the risks faced by the block. It was found from the field visits and primary survey that, a number of initiatives have been taken on the part of the GP to protect the embankments but they are all in vain due to the incoming surges and tidal currents which is a very common feature here. It has also been assigned that though human being are continuously proving themselves better with the passage of time, still we are at the mercy of nature. Nobody can do anything when a cyclone or a flood strikes in. Thus, it is better to make ourselves more prepared to face the challenges so that at least some lives can be saved.