ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the 2013 disaster in Uttarakhand has affected the lives of the affected communities and seeks to understand community responses, while locating these within their natural and social contexts. It describes the nature of the interventions undertaken in the disaster-affected villages, with implications for social and environmental justice, in accordance with the principles of the green social work model. Focusing on the impacts of the disaster and the initiatives undertaken in 20 villages of Uttarkashi, the chapter focuses on the important concerns and sustainability of natural resource-based livelihoods, disaster preparations and forest rights, suggesting a strong reliance on local governance structures and community participation. Assessments also covered disaster preparedness, as advised by green social work. Village-level disaster committees had already been formed by the government with some of the village governance council members and other officials who were the village contact persons.
