Reducing Disaster Risk and Reinstating Livelihood Through an Ecosystem Approach

Human deaths, destruction of infrastructure, environmental damage, and the destruction of development gains are all consequences of disasters, which are likely to exacerbate in coming years, with global climate change. Therefore, it is imperative, now more than ever for greater awareness of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies focus on reducing the chance factors of exposure, vulnerability, and hazards. Likewise, in addition to reducing the aspects of risks and vulnerability due to climate change, strengthening resilience, and capacity enhancement for responding successfully to the changes are the primary goals of climate change adaptation strategies. Ecosystem-based approaches comprising integrated ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and ecosystem-based adaptation (Eco-DRR/EbA) have been a key strategy accepted worldwide for reducing disaster risks and adjusting to climate change. Well-managed ecosystems help in reducing the danger factors like mangroves minimizing the impacts of waves and storm surges, or forests, providing slope stabilization, and preventing landslides. Ecosystems also help adapt to and mitigate climate change by storing greenhouse gases and can even persuade to be a source of livelihood for communities and a source of food and water. Furthermore, ecosystems offer multiple additional value-added services, such as water filtration, water storage, air purification, aesthetics, recreation, benefits that are not easily quantified. This paper aims to explain how an ecosystem approach has proven effective in alleviating disasters and has proven to be more cost-effective, providing multiple benefits and more long-lasting than grey infrastructure alone, with the help of case studies. Also despite understanding the ecosystem benefits, there are multiple challenges encountered in the effective implementation of Eco-DRR/EbA interventions. The paper tries to address the implementation challenges and gaps encountered with the help of a case study of mangroves in Mumbai. Lastly, the paper aims to provide suggestions for the planning and implementation of ecosystem-based approaches in development plans to have a real on-the-ground impact.