Knowledge Forum on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilient Livelihoods in the Koshi Basin

Collaborating Partners

       

Supported by

Background

Vast stretches of fertile floodplains of the Koshi basin is one of the most agriculturally abundant regions of Bihar (India) and Nepal that frequently suffers from significant flood and drought events attributing to low agricultural productivity, cropping intensity, and access to markets for the farmers. Lack of regionally coordinated knowledge of the complex nature of disaster management and agricultural livelihood issues and challenges in the trans-boundary basin has hindered investment in infrastructure, land, and agricultural productivity measures. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), with the support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Government of Australia, is facilitating the regionally coordinated Koshi Basin Programme (KBP) to generate knowledge on the frequency, magnitude, and exposure to hydro-metrological induced disasters resulting from climate change events like melting of glacier and snows, land use, sedimentation, and other change drivers. Besides it has bearing on the dependency level of local livelihoods on ecosystem services and finding solutions to ensure water security and resilient livelihoods.

The programme is being implemented in India by Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) as a nodal organization, with active participation of number of resource centres in India – AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies (ANSISS), IIT Kanpur, Institute of Economic Growth (IEG, Delhi University), and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Eastern Region, Patna. BSDMA and ICIMOD are jointly organizing a knowledge forum to discuss knowledge base and tools generated under the auspices of the Kosi Basin Programme and how it can be translated into policy and action to reduce disaster risk and promote resilient livelihoods.

Objectives of the forum

1. To share the evidence-based knowledge and tools generated on:
   • Flood and drought related disaster risk reduction and vulnerabilities in the Kosi Basin
   • Socio economic and livelihood improvements in the Kosi Basin
2. To discuss the challenges and potentials for converting generated knowledge into policy and actions in the Kosi Basin; and
3. To discuss how regional cooperation can strengthen the process by using evidence-based knowledge for effective policy support.

Expected Outcomes

1. Common agreed understanding of the useful knowledge and tools among the partners to address water related disaster risk reduction and vulnerabilities and to improve livelihood in the Kosi Basin.
2. Identification of challenges and potentials in converting generated knowledge into policy and application
3. A way forward on enhancing regional learning for effective policy making in the region

For further information contact

Anil K. Sinha, IAS (rtd.)
Vice Chairman,
Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA), Patna
mail: anilsinha.k@gmail.com; vice_chair@bsdma.org
Ph: +91 947 3400 208
Off: +91 612 2522 032
website: www.bsdma.org

Media coverage

• New possibilities for water-induced disaster management in Koshi basin(09 Feb 2016, Published in Hunza News)
• Kosi basin to receive flood warnings(07 Feb 2016, Published in Newsgram)
• Disaster-prone Kosi basin in Bihar to be better warned about floods(07 Feb 2016, Published in Yahoo India News, IANS)
• Disaster-Prone Kosi Basin In Bihar To Be Better Warned About Floods(07 Feb 2016, Published in NDTV, Indo-Asian News Service)
• Disaster-prone Kosi basin in Bihar to be better warned about floods(07 Feb 2016, Published in Live Uttar Pradesh, IANS)
• Experts discuss solutions to water-induced disasters(06 Feb 2016, Published in The Himalayan Times)
• Experts for cooperation to reduce disaster risk in Kosi basin(05 Feb 2016, Published in Business Standard)
• Bihar seeks Australian help in disaster management in Kosi basin(04 Feb 2016, Published in Sify News, IANS)
• Bihar seeks Australian help in disaster management in Kosi basin(04 Feb 2016, Published in Shafaqna)
• Bihar seeks Australian help in disaster management in Kosi basin(04 Feb 2016, Published in New Kerala)
• Bihar seeks Australian help in disaster management in Kosi basin(04 Feb 2016, Published in Business Standard)
• Experts for cooperation to reduce disaster risk in Kosi basin(04 Feb 2016, Published in New Kerala)