Disasters, environment and development : proceedings of International Geographical Union Seminar, New Delhi, December 9-12, 1994.

Includes bibliographical references

Disasters, be they natural or man-made, are the real constraints to development and are a threat to our environment. They undermine development efforts and cause loss of life and scarce resources, reduction of productivity and environmental degradation, thus retarding growth. The enormous economic losses from natural disasters and the massive relief expenditure make disaster reduction a condition for sustainable development. Development programmes can be so designed as to decrease susceptibility to disasters. Disaster mitigation will have to become a part of the national development. Environmental protection is also an essential input in the prevention and mitigation of disasters. The complex cause and effect relationship of disasters and the environment and its impact on development needs to be carefully understood. In order to achieve these goals, this compilation of papers is an attempt to update the available world wide researches