Presentations by two UKNA Fellows

Presentations by two current UKNA researchers at IIAS from CEPT University (Ahmedabad, India).

"Understanding Vulnerability from a Disaster Manager's Perspective"
 

Prof. Ajay Katuri, Lecturer in School of Planning, Faculty of Planning and Public Policy, CEPT University (Ahmedabad, India)

This presentation is about understanding vulnerability. How people are vulnerable and how one can reduce the vulnerability or increase - capacity or resilience. There are three main tenets in vulnerability research: (i) the identification of conditions that make people or places vulnerable to extreme natural events - an exposure model (ii) vulnerability as social response; and (iii) the integration of potential exposures and societal resilience with a specific focus on particular places or regions. In general, vulnerability is defined (very loosely) as potential to suffer and exposure to natural hazards. However, from a socio-economic perspective, it differs. In order to support this argument, concepts of intrnisic and extrinsic vulnerability are used. As self-explanatory, intrinsic vulnerability is very much within the society and extrinsic vulnerability is from external sources. in this presentation, I would like to explain various approaches taken by authors in explaining vulnerability and then talk about a case of a rural area in Bihar, India in light of a flood hazard.  The argument is in line with the broader research objective of reducing the risk from various hazards - earthquakes, floods, industrial hazards, civil strife, etc.  

"Informal Sector Waste Recyclers in Municipal Waste Management: Prospects and Challenges – Case of Ahmedabad, India”

Dr. Mona Iyer, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Planning and Public Policy, CEPT University

Municipal solid waste is a pressing issue all across the globe. In recent past Indian urban centers have shown considerable change in the lifestyle and resulting domestic waste generation. India, like many other developing countries has significant presence of informal sector waste pickers, who are into the business for livelihood. This study attempts to quantify the plastic waste sorted and reused or recycled by informal sector based on limited city specific secondary data sources and primary survey based on interviews and consultation with key stakeholders across different levels of the informal sector waste collection chain in Ahmedabad. On one hand, this activity provides very efficient and detailed sorting system which increases the efficiency of recycling and reduces the waste going to the dumpsite and helps in saving the transport and treatment/disposal cost at the end of ‘pipe’; whereas on the other hand, this has its own health and work environment related issues. Formalizing the informal sector involved in management of MSW is one of the most challenging tasks to accomplish though recent decade has shown some initiatives. The study would put forward present scenario, challenges and prospects for informal sector involvement in waste management.