Role of Law in Rehabilitation of Disaster Victims: Indian Scenario

Disasters are not limited to any part of the world. They may occur at any time any where. Their intensity depends on suddenness and swiftness. Technological advancement in the form of electricity, gas and water supply may further aggravate the impact of disasters. The higher level of preparedness allows us to have a better control over the loss. The only way to prevent losses to human life and economy is disaster management. Disaster management implies institutional mechanism which is aimed at preventing and mitigating the effects of disasters and providing for relief and rescue operations. There was no law in India before 2005 but it became imperative for Indian government (being a welfare State) to make a law to provide for disaster management after suffering heavy loss to human life and safety during tsunami. The presentpaper is an attempt to make the mankind aware about the role of law, taking into consideration the various international treaties and conventions, instruments of United Nations and existing laws, rules and regulations of india and various countries in providing new dimension to disaster management in india.