Introduction: Conquering the Challenges of Mountain Development
The majestic beauty of mountains often hides the inherent risks and vulnerabilities faced by those who call them home. Mountain settlements are particularly susceptible to natural hazards such as debris flows, mudslides, and floods. These sporadic but devastating events pose a significant threat to the lives, livelihoods, and assets of the people living in these areas. Additionally, landslides, rock avalanches, and snow avalanches further compound the dangers faced by mountain communities. It is imperative to understand and mitigate these risks to ensure sustainable mountain development.
The Multihazard Conundrum: A Growing Concern
Across all mountainous regions, multihazard conditions prevail. This is not a recent phenomenon. However, over the past few decades, many mountain areas have experienced rapid population growth, economic development, and increased human activity. These changes intertwine with the effects of climate change, further exacerbating the risks faced by mountain communities. Without proper management of exposure and vulnerability, mountain people and communities bear the brunt of these hazards. While the characteristics of mountain hazards have been studied extensively, the attention given to other aspects of risk, such as exposure and vulnerability, has been relatively recent.
Unlocking the Potential of Disaster Risk Reduction
Efforts to understand and manage disaster-related risks have gained momentum in recent years. The integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) into sustainable mountain development, rehabilitation and recovery, and overall resilience building remains sporadic and rarely discussed in international policy debates. However, DRR has become a focal point of attention in the policy realm as the first globally adopted framework, the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters (HFA 2005), has now concluded. Its successor, the Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (SFDRR 2015), was adopted during the third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, in March 2015.
Tackling the Challenges: Is the Sendai Framework Up to the Task?
In this article, we aim to shed light on the specific challenges of DRR in mountain areas, evaluate how well the Hyogo Framework addressed these challenges, and assess the support provided by its successor, the Sendai Framework, for mountain DRR and sustainable mountain development. We will identify any remaining gaps and areas that require additional attention.
The international frameworks for disaster risk reduction serve as essential guidance for policymakers, practitioners, and communities striving for sustainable mountain development. By leveraging the expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness, and experience embedded within these frameworks, we can overcome the challenges posed by natural hazards in mountainous regions. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of disaster risk reduction in mountain areas and explore the untapped potential for sustainable mountain development.
To be continued…