Making Molehills of Mountains: Demystifying Disasters in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand was born from an urgent need to share all that needs to be analysed and strengthened in our hill state of Uttarakhand from a climate action and disaster management standpoint.
The year 2023 has especially brought to light how fragile our Himalayan ecosystem is, what with the innumerable ecological disasters such as landslides, cloudbursts, flash floods, and raging rivers breaking banks and washing away everything in their wake. We are not only making hollow molehills of our mountains, but also making small of big, mountain-like questions regarding the state's growth story. In other words, with the perils of inclement climate, unabated disasters and tragic accidents, the ecologically fragile and earthquake-prone state of Uttarakhand needs to take multiple steps to safeguard its people, its guests, and its reputation.
Edited by SDC Founder Anoop Nautiyal and SDC Lead Research and Documentation Prerna Raturi, the book brings together a diverse panel of experts who offer unique perspectives on disasters in Uttarakhand. From humanitarian aid to legal frameworks, from geological insights to cultural traditions, and from climate change impacts to trauma management, this book encompasses a wide array of disciplines, making it a comprehensive and invaluable resource.
Unlike any other publication to date, the book serves as a singular compendium of knowledge and information, offering a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics underlying the region's recurring calamities. By collating a wealth of insights into a single volume, this book provides a consolidated repository of expertise that is unparalleled in its scope and depth.
With a fervent hope to catalyze action, this book endeavors to shed light on the urgent need for a comprehensive disaster management and accident minimization policy framework in Uttarakhand. By raising awareness and fostering dialogue, it aspires to empower political leaders, policymakers, bureaucrats, researchers, academics, civil society organizations, media professionals, and citizens alike to confront the challenges posed by natural disasters with greater resilience and efficacy.
In essence, Making Molehills of Mountains serves as an indispensable guide for anyone invested in the well-being and sustainable development of Uttarakhand. Its pioneering insights and recommendations provide a roadmap for navigating the treacherous terrain of disaster management, offering hope and guidance in the face of adversity.
The book as been published by Messrs Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun. It was officially launched on March 21, 2024 at the Doon Library and Research Centre.
You can purchase our book on Amazon via this link.
