Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has entered into a framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable Geo-hazard management.
Context
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has entered into a framework memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable Geo-hazard management.
What is Geo-Hazard?
- A geohazard is a geological state that may lead to widespread damage or risk.
- Geohazards are geological and environmental conditions and involve long-term or short-term geological processes.
- Geohazards include earthquakes, volcanic activity, landslides, tsunamis, etc.
- It can range from local events such as a rock slide or coastal erosion to events that threaten humankind such as a supervolcano or meteorite impact.
UNESCO’s work on Geohazard Risk Reduction
It operates in accordance with the four Priorities for Action of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030:
- Priority 1: Understanding disaster risk
- Priority 2: Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk
- Priority 3: Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience
- Priority 4: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to Build Back Better in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
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Key-highlights of MoU
- DRDO and MoRTH will co-operate in various mutually beneficial areas related to geohazard management.
- The initiative will ensure safety against the adverse effects of landslides and other natural calamities on national highways in the country.
- DRDO’s Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE) is working for the development of critical technologies for enhancing combat effectiveness in various kinds of terrains and avalanches.
- The expertise of DGRE in mapping, forecasting, control and mitigation of landslides and avalanches in Himalayan terrain will be utilized for designing national highways including tunnels.
- Terrain and modelling simulation is an important asset with DGRE, which will play an important role in planning and building robust road infrastructure in difficult terrains.
- The expertise of DRDO will be utilized in providing sustainable mitigation measures to damages caused by landslides, avalanche and other natural factors on various National Highways in the Country.
What are the areas of detailed investigation?
- The areas identified for collaboration include
- detailed investigation of the critical avalanches/geo hazards
- planning, designing and formulation of sustainable mitigation measures for geo-hazards on national highways including tunnels
- monitoring and supervision of mitigation measures etc.
Significance of the Agreement
- It will help in detailed investigation of the causes of critical avalanches/geo hazards
- To plan, design and formulate sustainable mitigation measures for geo-hazards
- In monitoring and supervision of mitigation measures
