Page 83 - IJPS-6-1

Patel, et al.

(Vithalani and Bansal, 2017). The widespread violence, repeated disruptions to daily life, and the militarized nature of the
region have had an adverse psychological impact on the people. Numerous studies have underlined that the prevalence of
stress, trauma, and depression is quite common among the people and is directly linked to their exposure to the violence
in the Kashmir valley (De Jong, Ford, Van de Kam, et al., 2008; Amin and Khan, 2009; Housen, Lenglet, Shah, et al.,
2019; Wani, Suhaff, Khan, et al., 2020). Another study after the earthquake in 2005 also highlighted the psychological
impact of natural disasters, with depression, acute stress, and sleep disturbance being widely reported among the affected
population (Chadda, Malhotra, Kaw, et al., 2007). The conflict in Kashmir has also left thousands of women as widows
and half-widows in a volatile and patriarchal society where sexual violence against women is widely prevalent (Qayoom,
2014; Qutab, 2012). Further, in the aftermath of a natural disaster, women are confronted with an atmosphere of increased
insecurity and stress and a lack of privacy, sanitation, and reproductive facilities (Hamilton and Halvorson, 2007; Kelman,
Field, Suri, et al., 2018). In fact, natural disasters could potentially have a greater psychological impact on the people of
the region than others due to the existing trauma arising from the violent conflict and due to the lack of resources to deal
with mental health issues. The health facilities in the region require better infrastructure, more trained doctors, and mental
health practitioners – especially in the rural and remote areas. Mental health needs to be a specific and ongoing focus. As
the present study shows, psychological stress, trauma, and depression are widespread among the populace. The region
also lags in health insurance coverage with only 4.2% of households having any insurance (GOI, 2017).
The study, while focusing on the impacts of natural and man-made disasters on the people of J&K and Ladakh
region, also shows the linkages between the two types of disasters. First, the severity of natural disasters and their impact
on people is largely determined by human activity. The impact of an earthquake is largely determined by the quality
of the construction of buildings, whereas in the case of floods and landslides, human activities such as deforestation,
urbanization, unscientific construction, and mining determine the extent of damage caused (Barnard, Owen, Sharma,
et al., 2001; SDMP, 2017). Second, the extent of damage can be minimized by immediate and effective responses taken in
the wake of the disaster. The response by the government after the flash floods in Ladakh in 2010 was considered mildly
effective, whereas there was a widespread perception of government failure, inadequate preparation, and poor relief
measures in the aftermath of the 2014 floods (Venugopal and Yasir, 2017; Gupta, Khanna, and Majumdar, 2012). The
floods laid bare the lack of warning systems, the poor levels of preparation of the authorities, and the inadequate relief and
rehabilitation measures (Venugopal and Yasir, 2017). Third, conflicts, while being rooted in their specific histories and the
prevalent political and social condition, are also impacted by natural disasters. The destruction caused by natural disasters
creates conditions of resource scarcity, aggravates pre-existing inequalities in the society, and can lead to a general sense
of grievance among people, thus further aggravating the conflict. A study using the data from the second half of the 20
th
century concludes that the risk of violent conflict increases in the short- and medium-term after a rapid-onset disaster like
a flood or an earthquake (Nel and Righarts, 2008).
The government has taken steps to mitigate the effects of disasters by integrating livelihood schemes with disaster
management, by promoting crop diversification, crop insurance, and by providing compensation to people affected by
disasters. It has also made efforts to implement an extensive disaster management plan. While the plan highlights detailed
and effective measures against disasters, it is imperative that the policymakers go beyond and take into account the
diversity of the conditions in the region. There is an urgent need to improve the response and rehabilitation measures in
rural areas after natural disasters, as was evident after the earthquake in 2005 when remote villages were ignored, and
most relief measures remained focused on towns and cities (Zahir-ud-Din, 2005). Early warning systems, which were not
effective during the 2014 floods, need to be made functional for different types of disasters. The structural integrity of
the existing infrastructure in the state needs to be improved with safety audit of existing buildings and strict adherence to
earthquake resilience for construction of future infrastructure (Yousuf, Bukhari, Bhat et al., 2020). Social support among
relatives, neighbors, and the community can also act as a source of resilience for people in the aftermath of disasters. A
study done among adult survivors of 2014 floods in Kashmir region shows that high level of family and friends’ support
reduced the association between flood-exposure and symptoms of PTSD and depression to a great extent (Dar, Iqbal,
Prakash, et al., 2018). There is also a need to engage with people and communities at the local level and formulate disaster
management plans which makes use of the local and traditional knowledge systems. Dhaji Diwari is one such indigenous
construction method which uses timber beams as means to reduce the impact of earthquakes on buildings. This method
has been effective against earthquakes but is no longer widely practiced as people have moved toward more modern ways
of construction using bricks and concrete which does not suit the unique landscape and climate of the region (Hassan,
2014; Yousuf, Bukhari, Bhat et al., 2020). Traditional and indigenous industries like handicraft need to be supported
and private investment should be encouraged in industries such as biotechnology, mineral extraction, and leather goods
(Mahapatra and Shekhawat, 2008).

International Journal of Population Studies | 2020, Volume 6, Issue 1 77