178
C. L. Hada et al.
The DRRM is among 22 exclusive powers that are now the responsibility of
devolved authorities. Schedule 9 of the constitution has spelled out the DRRM functions of all three levels of government—the federal, province, and local levels—
with significant decentralization for decision-making, resources management, and
service delivery systems. For disaster resilience, the constitution authority to local
governments for “Disaster management” falls under Sect. 10.8: on the jurisdiction
of local government. However, “Disaster management” also appears on the concurrent list for federal state and local jurisdictions. Low capacity and unfamiliarity with
disaster management approaches and principles, particularly in municipalities that
have recently graduated to urban municipalities, will likely hamper the ability of
local governments to prepare for, reduce risks and respond to disaster events.
10.1.3 Overview of Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and Its
Implications to the New Federal Structure
The 2015 earthquakes and the widespread flooding in 2017 resulted in large-scale
loss of life, livelihood, and property. Not only earthquake and floods, but the country
has also been facing multiple hazards like windstorm in Tarai and landslides in hilly
regions each year. To reduce the risk of such disasters; risk reduction needs to be
addressed in land use plan and should be enforced and implemented.
The DRRM Act, 2015 and the National Strategic Action Plan for Disaster Risk
Reduction 2018–2030 (Source MoHA) require every local government to prepare
their local DRRM Law and action plans. With the support of federal government, the
ministry (Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and Ministry of
Urban Development), along with the self-initiation of Local government, nearly all
753 local governments are in the process of preparing their local DRRM Law
1 and
strategic action plans. With the circular from the federal government, it has made
compulsory to local government to prepare such integrated urban development plans.
The newly elected municipal representatives in 2017 and the municipal staff often
have limited understanding on DRRM concepts, technical capacities, and finances
to undertake disaster risk reduction actions and knowledge to include risk reduction
in existing planning and management practices at the local level. As a consequence,
disaster risk reduction is often undertaken in a reactive manner following a major
disaster. Land use planning however provides an opportunity for proactive risk reduction through location-based and/or structural approaches in the form of comprehensive plans, zoning, and building regulations. If land use planning is formulated based
on systematic processes of risk assessment, implemented diligently and monitored
continuously, it has the potential to reduce existing, future, and residual risks. In
Nepali context RSLUP is prepared as a separate planning document that has been
mostly financed by development partners has weak chance of implementation as
1 A model DRRM Law drafted by the MOFAGA serves as a sample for local municipalities to
prepared their local DRRM Law.
C. L. Hada et al.
The DRRM is among 22 exclusive powers that are now the responsibility of
devolved authorities. Schedule 9 of the constitution has spelled out the DRRM functions of all three levels of government—the federal, province, and local levels—
with significant decentralization for decision-making, resources management, and
service delivery systems. For disaster resilience, the constitution authority to local
governments for “Disaster management” falls under Sect. 10.8: on the jurisdiction
of local government. However, “Disaster management” also appears on the concurrent list for federal state and local jurisdictions. Low capacity and unfamiliarity with
disaster management approaches and principles, particularly in municipalities that
have recently graduated to urban municipalities, will likely hamper the ability of
local governments to prepare for, reduce risks and respond to disaster events.
10.1.3 Overview of Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning and Its
Implications to the New Federal Structure
The 2015 earthquakes and the widespread flooding in 2017 resulted in large-scale
loss of life, livelihood, and property. Not only earthquake and floods, but the country
has also been facing multiple hazards like windstorm in Tarai and landslides in hilly
regions each year. To reduce the risk of such disasters; risk reduction needs to be
addressed in land use plan and should be enforced and implemented.
The DRRM Act, 2015 and the National Strategic Action Plan for Disaster Risk
Reduction 2018–2030 (Source MoHA) require every local government to prepare
their local DRRM Law and action plans. With the support of federal government, the
ministry (Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and Ministry of
Urban Development), along with the self-initiation of Local government, nearly all
753 local governments are in the process of preparing their local DRRM Law
1 and
strategic action plans. With the circular from the federal government, it has made
compulsory to local government to prepare such integrated urban development plans.
The newly elected municipal representatives in 2017 and the municipal staff often
have limited understanding on DRRM concepts, technical capacities, and finances
to undertake disaster risk reduction actions and knowledge to include risk reduction
in existing planning and management practices at the local level. As a consequence,
disaster risk reduction is often undertaken in a reactive manner following a major
disaster. Land use planning however provides an opportunity for proactive risk reduction through location-based and/or structural approaches in the form of comprehensive plans, zoning, and building regulations. If land use planning is formulated based
on systematic processes of risk assessment, implemented diligently and monitored
continuously, it has the potential to reduce existing, future, and residual risks. In
Nepali context RSLUP is prepared as a separate planning document that has been
mostly financed by development partners has weak chance of implementation as
1 A model DRRM Law drafted by the MOFAGA serves as a sample for local municipalities to
prepared their local DRRM Law.