| Abstract |

 

Abstract
The role of local communities and organizations particularly the Panchayati Raj Bodies in managing natural disasters can not be over emphasized. In fact the present situation in which the government agencies take the full responsibility for disaster preparedness, rescue, relief and reconstruction activities does not provide adequate scope for local participation. This has not only increased people’s dependency on the government but also waned the capacity of the local communities to cope up with the natural disasters. More over, due to lack of preparedness and mitigation planning at the local level, specially the Gram Panchayat level causes considerable problems in the management of disasters.

Besides above, the relief and rehabilitation activities are not integrated with the on going as well as long term development of the area. This has resulted in weakening the local capability for preparedness and countering natural disasters. Keeping these factors in view it is necessary to involve the village community and the local governments or Gram Panchayats in the process of Planning for disaster preparedness and mitigation at the local level and encourage their participation in the management of disasters and also in the reduction of their impact.