Agartala (Tripura), Dec. 14 : Tripura capital Agartala recently played host to a two-day conference on Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR).

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Tripura Government organized the conference jointly, which was attended by representatives from the government, engineers, army, paramilitary, police personnel, students, teachers and NGOs.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in the presence of NDMA vice-chairman and former army chief N. C. Vij inaugurated the program.

This conference provided an opportunity for practitioners to share experiences and good practices in implementing CBDRR projects in India and in the region. It also aimed at providing a platform for networking among practitioners working on CBDRR in the region.

Different tools and equipment procured by the NDMA, which are very necessary during the time of crisis were also displayed outside for creating awareness among agencies working in the field.

Tripura''s Chief Secretary A K Mangotra spoke about the seismic vulnerability of Tripura and stressed upon the need for involving communities in risk reduction exercises in the state.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) troopers carried out a mock drill.

In the first drill, which simulated events after an earthquake, NDRF soldiers swung into action to cordon off the area, bring out the people blocked under the debris with the help of tracker dogs and latest machineries procured by them for the crisis and shifted the ''bodies'' and the injured to render medical aid and undertake evacuation.

A second drill focused on how to rescue flood victims.

Natash, a student who saw such a show for the first time said, "Such shows are very educative and helps in preparedness and thus can not only saving one''s own life but also others during disaster."

The live demonstration would help in removing the shortcomings in the state emergency response mechanism and also aware particularly the students and the security force personnel who gathered to witness it and thus help in community capacity building.

Sukdev Raj, Commandant, 106 NDRF said, "The community and its members were the first to respond to any disaster that occurs, and hence educating them was a priority. Making the common man aware of disaster management techniques and post-disaster relief would enable them to ensure quick, temporary relief in the event of a disaster."

While another student Tanvi for whom also it is a new experience said, "The drill is very useful as it helps us in preparedness with appropriate measure and can minimize the damaging effects during disaster which comes without any intimation."

In view of recurring disasters in India, various stakeholders have undertaken many mitigation interventions in the recent past that have resulted in reduction of deaths and losses. (ANI)