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Disasters in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh region

state government provided relief of $5715 to the kin of those killed and $172 to the injured in accordance with the policy
of State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) (New Indian Express, 2018; SDRF, 2015). The government has also attempted to
integrate Disaster Risk Reduction with schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA) and Indira Awas Yojana to enhance the capacities of the most vulnerable sections of the population (SDMP,
2017). MGNREGA is integrated with disaster management by focusing on generating work related to water harvesting,
management of irrigation canals, flood control in water-logged areas, tree plantation, and renovation of traditional water
bodies. The government has also promoted crop diversification and implemented crop insurance schemes to create a level
of security against disasters for the rural population (SDRF, 2015). The J&K government had aimed at a growth rate of
4% in the agricultural sector by giving access to quality inputs such as seeds and fertilizers and by giving better inputs
on soil and water management to the farmers (GOJ&K, 2013). Self-help groups (SHGs) have also been initiated by the
government and the NGOs, with a special focus toward women. Women’s SHGs have promoted micro-credit schemes,
generated self-employment by promoting activities such as carpet weaving and goat and sheep rearing (Irshad and Bhat,
2015). This has helped in building capacity of women in rural areas and made them active participants in the development
of the state and increased its resilience to disasters.
The victims of terrorist attacks in the region have also been provided compensation. In 2017, the government of
the erstwhile state of J&K announced compensation of $8572 for the kin of the deceased after the attack on Amaranth
pilgrims (Jameel, 2017). In 2015, the central government instituted measures to provide a monthly pension – apart from
the one-time compensation – to widows of civilians killed in militant violence (GOI, 2008). A monthly cash relief of $36
(with a maximum of $145 per family) is also provided to Kashmiri migrants living in Jammu (GOI, 2015). The State
Rehabilitation Council (SRC) has instituted schemes to rehabilitate thousands of women who have become widows over
the many years of militancy. It also offers a one-time remittance of $290 for widow remarriage (GOI, 2008). Himayat, a
scheme sponsored by the Government of India, was launched in 2011 as a skill development and placement program with
the goal of providing jobs for the youth of the region (GOI, 2011). It aims to provide jobs for 100,000 youth with socially
backward youth and school and college dropouts being the priority. There is also a youth exchange program under the
project Watan Ko Jano, run by the SRC of J&K and Ladakh region, that aims to positively influence children between the
age of 14 and 24 – especially orphans of militant violence (GOJ&K, 2015).
3. Discussion
The previous sections of this article have clearly outlined the devastating effects of disasters on the everyday lives of the
people. These disasters have caused death, physical and mental trauma, destroyed livelihoods, and affected the economy
of J&K and Ladakh region. Landslides and avalanches have been the most common natural disasters in the region, while
floods and earthquakes, though less common, have caused more death and destruction. The 2014 flood was the most
widespread natural disaster in the region in recent times while the 2005 earthquake proved most fatal. This study has also
underscored the importance of human activity in disaster management – the frequency of disasters and their destructive
potential increases due to unscientific and unsustainable development. The study also shows that while natural disasters
have caused great death and destruction, terrorism, and violence have been even more destructive in the region, causing
deaths of more than 20,000 civilians and security personnel, and displacing lakhs of people. Disasters have affected every
aspect of life in the region – from industries such as agriculture, handicrafts, and tourism to the physical and mental health
of people.
This study effectively synchronizes other studies (Sharma, Sharma, and Waris, 2012; Vithalani and Bansal, 2017) that
have assessed the impact of disasters in the region in a comprehensive manner. The decline of the tourism industry, a
lifeline of the region’s economy, has led to increased levels of unemployment, which has created further disillusionment
– especially among the youth of the region. This lack of jobs, when combined with the ongoing violence and widespread
feeling of injustice, can lead to more and more youth getting attracted to the terrorism and armed struggle. In fact, conflict,
terrorism, and disaster have created a vicious cycle, where development is hampered due to the ongoing violence and the
lack of development creates unemployed youth, who then become potential recruits for terrorist organizations seeking to
further the violence.
Mental or psychological health is an important aspect of human life that is impacted during both natural and man-
made disasters. Conventionally, it has not got the importance it deserves. This study also contrasts the incessant and
relentless nature of the violence with the more sporadic nature of natural disasters. The physical and mental trauma caused
by disasters has been highlighted throughout this study. A natural disaster or a violent attack immediately results in major
challenges for the underequipped and overcrowded health sector of the region, as was evident after the floods in 2014

76 International Journal of Population Studies | 2020, Volume 6, Issue 1