Krishika Gupta
Today, the environmental crisis is no longer limited to ecological imbalance or the loss of biodiversity. It has evolved into a deep-rooted human, social, and economic disaster staring us in the face. Climate change, deforestation, pollution, excessive exploitation of natural resources, and the ongoing degradation of biodiversity have turned this issue into a matter of global concern. Its impact is no longer confined to nature alone-it now extends to human health, livelihoods, lifestyle, and even our survival.This is why it is now essential to bring environmental crises within the scope of disaster management and treat them with the same urgency as we do traditional natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, droughts, and cyclones.A recent example is the case of the Kancha Gachibowli forest near the University of Hyderabad, where the state government decided to clear nearly 400 acres of green cover for industrial development. This area is not only rich in biodiversity, but it is also home to two major lakes and shelters over 700 species of plants and 200 species of birds. Environmentalists and students strongly opposed this move, fearing the destruction of an entire ecological system vital for the region’s climate, air quality, and groundwater recharge.
The controversy intensified when the university administration clarified that they had neither given consent for the project nor had any survey been conducted. The Supreme Court had to step in and ordered the state government to immediately halt the tree felling. This incident clearly shows that environmental degradation can indirectly trigger natural disasters-such as rising local temperatures, water scarcity, floods, and droughts.According to a report, the loss of greenery in this region could raise temperatures by 1 to 4 degrees Celsius in nearby areas like Tellapur, Nallagandla, and Gachibowli. This clearly proves the need to integrate environmental crises into disaster management policy.Currently, environmental factors are not given sufficient priority in disaster planning. Issues like climate change, air and water pollution, land degradation, and biodiversity loss must be structurally included. This would improve early warning systems and make prevention efforts more effective.
Moreover, the socio-economic effects of environmental disasters cannot be ignored. Water scarcity, land infertility, and food insecurity hit poor and marginalized communities the hardest. If these environmental challenges are formally recognized as disasters, then proper budgeting, rehabilitation plans, and social safety nets can be implemented more efficiently.It is also crucial to incorporate traditional and local knowledge into disaster management frameworks. Local communities often possess deep-rooted experience in conserving natural resources, which can prove invaluable.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have highlighted the strong link between environment and disaster management. Several countries have already declared climate emergencies, signaling the need to bring environmental issues into mainstream policy-making.In conclusion, viewing environmental problems merely as “environmental issues” is no longer sufficient. This is a collective disaster management challenge that requires equal participation from governments, communities, scientists, policy makers, and citizens alike. If we fail to recognize this crisis as a “disaster” in time, the consequences for our future could be devastating. The time has come to shift our perspective and include the environmental crisis as an integral part of disaster management.
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