Aizawl: Mizoram has been earmarked ₹10 crore under the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) programme to strengthen disaster preparedness at the village level through improved planning, safer building systems and enhanced community capacity.
The allocation was discussed during a high-level review meeting between Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Prof. Lalnilawma and officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi. The meeting reviewed the progress of disaster mitigation projects and the state’s long-term disaster resilience strategy.
According to officials, the CBDRR programme will focus on developing disaster-resilient villages through local disaster planning, strengthening building approval systems, improving preparedness and equipping communities to respond more effectively to natural disasters.
Prof. Lalnilawma said the state government remains committed to strengthening disaster resilience at the grassroots by empowering local institutions and integrating disaster risk reduction into village-level planning.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme. The MHA advised the state to work closely with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in preparing digital elevation models, slope investigations and other technical studies required for implementing sanctioned projects. The ministry said the GSI had expressed its willingness to provide technical assistance.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the early execution of approved landslide mitigation projects through close coordination with the GSI and the Public Works Department.
Officials also reviewed disaster mitigation initiatives covering forest fire management, earthquake risk reduction and other approved projects. The ministry noted that while several interventions have already received financial approval, the timely submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and technical documentation would be crucial for releasing subsequent instalments and commencing implementation.
The Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department informed the meeting that it has begun reviewing pending proposals and will prioritise the submission of the required DPRs.
The MHA also encouraged Mizoram to implement the Union Home Minister’s 10-point Disaster Resilience Agenda, which focuses on strengthening the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), hazard-specific planning and institutional capacity building. The ministry assured continued support from both the MHA and the NDMA.
The meeting also examined Mizoram’s growing disaster risks, including landslides, rockfalls, rapid vertical urbanisation in Aizawl and the state’s location in Seismic Zone V. During the discussions, the MHA welcomed the state’s proposal to develop a planned ‘Peace City’, noting that planned urban expansion could help reduce future disaster risks while supporting sustainable development.
The two sides also discussed organising a North East Disaster Management Ministers’ Conclave in Mizoram later this year to strengthen regional cooperation on disaster risk reduction. Both the Centre and the state reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating disaster mitigation projects and enhancing Mizoram’s long-term disaster resilience.