Trainers play vital role in creating mass awareness: Governor

Chennai, Dec 20 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala today said the trainers, who were imparted training on disaster mitigation and preparedness, should take it right down to the community level to form clusters and instill a spirit of awakening and awareness among the people.

In his address, during the inauguration of the training programme on 'community based hazard MAP development,' he emphasised that training should be imparted at community level to all elected panchayat representatives of each village and hamlet on disaster preparedness and mitigation as this would help to prevent loss of lives and property.

He expressed confidence that the training programme would create awareness among first responder agencies like academics, professionals, Government officials and representatives of NGOs and enable them to equip with tools and techniques for risk assessment and vulnerability analysis for the coastal communities.

Mr Barnala pointed out that the Centre had taken laudable efforts to constitute the National Disaster Management Authority even before the Disaster Management Act 2005.

''I am sure that setting up of State Disaster Management Authorities headed by Chief Minister and district Collectors, co-chaired by elected representatives of the district, would pave way for the effective planning in disaster preparedness and mitigation,'' he added.

UNI