Top scientist sees the brighter side of tsunami

A famed agricultural scientist said that the tsunami disaster has provided a "unique opportunity" for launching an integrated psychological, ecological, agronomic and livelihood rehabilitation programme.

Dr M. S. Swaminathan, chairman of the National Commission on Farmers was addressing a meeting of experts taking stock of the post-tsunami preparedness at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation here.

He said that for such programmes to succeed they should be people-centric and managed by local communities with appropriate guidance and support from government and panchayat raj institutions.

"Fifteen days after the tsunami hit our coast and islands, we are in a position to begin rehabilitation efforts in three periods," said Dr Swaminathan, long known as the architect of the Indian Green Revolution.

The first time zone, January-March 2005, would address the issues of shelter, water, sanitation, health and revival of livelihoods, apart from psychological rehabilitation.

It would also achieve convergence among all on-going programmes with similar objectives.

"The medium term efforts during 2005-07 would deal with ecological, agronomic and economic rehabilitation, besides disaster preparedness, mitigation and management," Dr Swaminathan said.

He said the long-term programmes during 2005-10 would strengthen environmental defence systems, enlarge opportunities for sustainable livelihoods based on a "pro-nature, pro-poor, pro-women orientation to technology development and dissemination."

Dr Swaminathan said it would be necessary to send teams of psychiatrists and trauma counsellors into the affected areas during the next few weeks "to bring comfort and confidence to those who have lost their dear and near ones."

The scientist recommended immediate allotment of 300,000 tonnes of food grains for food-for-work effort using locals to rebuild houses and schools, repair boats, jetties, roads and market yards and carry out eco-restoration programmes such as mangrove wetlands and reclamation of soil inundated with sea water.