Shesh Kafle | Chiang Mai University (original) (raw)

Papers by Shesh Kafle

A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify key hazards, assess vulnerabilities ... more A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify key hazards, assess vulnerabilities and analyze risks of future animal attacks and recommend key mitigating measures to make existing and prospective communities in Mata Ie and Arongaon villages in Sampoinet sub-district resilient to future disasters. Data from both primary and secondary sources were collected. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview key community informants. Data were collected from field observations and consultation with government agencies and NGOs. For the analysis of the hazard and vulnerability of the prospective communities, the crunch, and pressure and release models were used. Risk analysis was done using risk matrix.
The study revealed that flooding, inundation, river bank cutting and disturbance from wild animals were the major natural hazards in the locality. Vulnerability analysis showed that this area had a very high damage potential to flooding, inundation and river cutting. Risk assessment based on the hazard potential and vulnerability analysis shows that the area falls within the very high flood risk zone . Wild animals especially wild pigs damaged crops, ate chicken, ducks and fruits. Four goats were reported to have killed by tigers recently. Three tigers of different ages were seen in the months of November and December 2007. No tiger was seen or encountered before or after the period even if communities are close to the dense forest. There is highly unlikely to have man-eater tiger present in the nearby forest. No symptom of desperation, stress, trauma or panic among key informants was noticed during the interviews and consultation. Based on the hazard, vulnerability and capacity assessment of communities, the risk of future disaster due to tiger attack is low.
Since the Aronggaon and neighboring Jeupheuk communities have been living for more than four decades in the locality and no tiger incidences happened in their knowledge, the selection of sites for housing construction could not be termed as inappropriate. The availability of land for housing, road access to markets and city areas, productive land and nearby forest for their daily cooking and ranching for cattle/livestock made this site appropriate for housing.
Since there is a high risk of flooding and its secondary effects, it is recommended that detailed mitigating measures be identified and implemented by mobilizing local communities. Although the community risk due to tiger attack is low and presence of hazard is purely by chance and not a regular phenomenon, some mitigating measures such as community awareness raising in order to reduce the hazard and increase community capacity thereby reducing vulnerabilities is suggested.
Key words: rapid disaster risk assessment, Sumatran tiger, Indonesia, Mitigation measures

Shesh Kanta Kafle is a disaster and development practitioner with more than 15 years' professiona... more Shesh Kanta Kafle is a disaster and development practitioner with more than 15 years' professional experience combining research and practice in disaster risk reduction (DRR). He has worked on the United National Development Programme and the International Development Research Centre programmes in Nepal, at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, Bangkok, and on the Canadian Red Cross programmes in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and India. His extensive work in the formulation of strategic plans for mainstreaming community-based DRR in government policy and programming, flood risk management, natural resource management, community risk reduction and resilience, and DRR capacity development of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are well known in the region. Shesh is the author of the book Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction for Local Authorities. His research and writings are focused on community-based DRR approaches, flood risk management, forest fire studies and risk governance.

Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) and Canadian Red Cross (CRC) have adopted an integrated approach to ... more Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) and Canadian Red Cross (CRC) have adopted an integrated approach to risk reduction at the community level. An integrated approach to reduce disaster risks includes the incorporation of all aspects of the disaster management cycle namely preparedness, response, recovery and prevention, deals with all hazards and multi-stakeholders and aims to integrating disaster risk reduction activities into local level development planning.

More than 400,000 ha of land have been damaged by rivers in Nepal. Agro-forestry practices have b... more More than 400,000 ha of land have been damaged by rivers in Nepal. Agro-forestry practices have been launched in those areas with the twin objectives of countering land degradation problems and meeting the demands of local people for fuelwood, fodder, and small timber. This study assessed the effectiveness of such practices in the riverside areas of the middle hills region in reclaiming the flooddamaged lands, considering vegetation establishment, land productivity and control of weed infestation (Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum munja) as the bases for evaluation. Data were gathered from the field measurements and observations. Results of two years' study showed that Dalbergia sissoo could be successfully intercropped with Zea mays, Solanum tuberosum, Cajanus cajan and Phaseolus vulgeris in flood-affected areas. There was no significant difference in growth performance of Dalbergia sissoo planted in river-affected areas and unaffected areas. Yields of various crops have also been documented. Species composition was found to have changed in silvipasture plots. The study reveals that agro-forestry practices have been effective in reclaiming the flood-damaged areas.

A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify major hazards, assess vulnerabilitie... more A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify major hazards, assess vulnerabilities and analyze risks of future disasters and recommend key mitigating measures to make prospective communities in Mutiara village resilient to disasters. This paper is prepared based on a rapid reconnaissance survey of the area where Canadian Red Cross (CRC) is planning to build houses for December 2004 tsunami-affected people. Data were collected both from primary sources in consultation with the people residing nearby resettlement area and local leaders, and secondary sources. For the analysis of the hazard and vulnerability of the prospective communities, the crunch and release models were used. Risk analysis was done using risk matrix.

After the tsunami of December 26, 2004 the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) initiated immediate response ... more After the tsunami of December 26, 2004 the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) initiated immediate response and recovery operations in Aceh and Nias Island. CRC provided financial and technical backstopping to the Indonesian Red Cross Society (PMI) to implement Early Warning System and Emergency Communications (EWS) program. The specific objective of this Program was to improve PMI's response and risk mitigation capacity through the establishment and operationalization of an Early Warning and Emergency Communication Network. Radio systems has been set up in all the target 26 locations, PMI staff and volunteers have been trained on radio operation and risk communications, and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) along with a national framework for emergency communications has been developed. PMI early warning system has been effective in communicating messages in times of disasters. During the flooding of January 2007 in six districts of NAD province and during the earthquake of March 2008 in Simulue Island, PMI radio systems were the only means of communication for government as well as the humanitarian organizations. These are simple, locally affordable and locally repairable and long lasting.

A two-hectare plot of a deciduous dipterocarp-oak forest of Doi Suthep-Pui National park of north... more A two-hectare plot of a deciduous dipterocarp-oak forest of Doi Suthep-Pui National park of northern Thailand protected against fire for 28 years was compared with a similar, but frequently burnt forest nearby with respect to changes in plant diversity. The objective of the study was to find out the effects of forest fire protection on plant diversity. To survey the tree communities, six meter wide transects with a total length of 650m in each site were laid out across the slope of the mountain following a bearing of 60 0 . To survey the ground flora, quadrates of 2×2 m 2 area were placed in each site covering 2.3% of the total transect area. The importance value percentage (IP) of trees > 10 cm DBH, species composition and diversity for both tree and ground flora communities were calculated. The species richness of both the ground flora and tree species was higher in the protected areas. The occurrence of evergreen or tropophyllous trees was greater in the protected area than in the burnt area.

A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify key hazards, assess vulnerabilities ... more A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify key hazards, assess vulnerabilities and analyze risks of future animal attacks and recommend key mitigating measures to make communities in Mata Ie and Arongaon villages in resilient to future disasters. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview key community informants. Data were collected from field observations and consultation with government agencies, NGOs and community members. For the analysis of the hazard and vulnerability of the prospective communities, the crunch, and pressure and release models were used. Risk analysis was done using risk matrix.

Books by Shesh Kafle

This publication captures the findings of a study on flood early warning systems in Nepal that as... more This publication captures the findings of a study on flood early warning systems in Nepal that assessed the institutional arrangements, key stakeholders, legal provisions, coordination and linkage mechanisms, and four key elements of early warning systems from a gender perspective. It also gathered experience from two villages with functioning community-based flood early warning systems.

This report aims to improve understanding of the existing flood early warning systems in Nepal, and suggests ways to make early warning systems more effective and responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups, and women in particular. By promoting the integration of the gender perspective into disaster risk management efforts, this study contributes to the Hyogo Framework for Action. The report can be a valuable tool for use by key national stakeholders, policy makers, planners, and community members who are risk from flood hazards in Nepal.

A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify key hazards, assess vulnerabilities ... more A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify key hazards, assess vulnerabilities and analyze risks of future animal attacks and recommend key mitigating measures to make existing and prospective communities in Mata Ie and Arongaon villages in Sampoinet sub-district resilient to future disasters. Data from both primary and secondary sources were collected. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview key community informants. Data were collected from field observations and consultation with government agencies and NGOs. For the analysis of the hazard and vulnerability of the prospective communities, the crunch, and pressure and release models were used. Risk analysis was done using risk matrix.
The study revealed that flooding, inundation, river bank cutting and disturbance from wild animals were the major natural hazards in the locality. Vulnerability analysis showed that this area had a very high damage potential to flooding, inundation and river cutting. Risk assessment based on the hazard potential and vulnerability analysis shows that the area falls within the very high flood risk zone . Wild animals especially wild pigs damaged crops, ate chicken, ducks and fruits. Four goats were reported to have killed by tigers recently. Three tigers of different ages were seen in the months of November and December 2007. No tiger was seen or encountered before or after the period even if communities are close to the dense forest. There is highly unlikely to have man-eater tiger present in the nearby forest. No symptom of desperation, stress, trauma or panic among key informants was noticed during the interviews and consultation. Based on the hazard, vulnerability and capacity assessment of communities, the risk of future disaster due to tiger attack is low.
Since the Aronggaon and neighboring Jeupheuk communities have been living for more than four decades in the locality and no tiger incidences happened in their knowledge, the selection of sites for housing construction could not be termed as inappropriate. The availability of land for housing, road access to markets and city areas, productive land and nearby forest for their daily cooking and ranching for cattle/livestock made this site appropriate for housing.
Since there is a high risk of flooding and its secondary effects, it is recommended that detailed mitigating measures be identified and implemented by mobilizing local communities. Although the community risk due to tiger attack is low and presence of hazard is purely by chance and not a regular phenomenon, some mitigating measures such as community awareness raising in order to reduce the hazard and increase community capacity thereby reducing vulnerabilities is suggested.
Key words: rapid disaster risk assessment, Sumatran tiger, Indonesia, Mitigation measures

Shesh Kanta Kafle is a disaster and development practitioner with more than 15 years' professiona... more Shesh Kanta Kafle is a disaster and development practitioner with more than 15 years' professional experience combining research and practice in disaster risk reduction (DRR). He has worked on the United National Development Programme and the International Development Research Centre programmes in Nepal, at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, Bangkok, and on the Canadian Red Cross programmes in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and India. His extensive work in the formulation of strategic plans for mainstreaming community-based DRR in government policy and programming, flood risk management, natural resource management, community risk reduction and resilience, and DRR capacity development of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are well known in the region. Shesh is the author of the book Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction for Local Authorities. His research and writings are focused on community-based DRR approaches, flood risk management, forest fire studies and risk governance.

Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) and Canadian Red Cross (CRC) have adopted an integrated approach to ... more Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) and Canadian Red Cross (CRC) have adopted an integrated approach to risk reduction at the community level. An integrated approach to reduce disaster risks includes the incorporation of all aspects of the disaster management cycle namely preparedness, response, recovery and prevention, deals with all hazards and multi-stakeholders and aims to integrating disaster risk reduction activities into local level development planning.

More than 400,000 ha of land have been damaged by rivers in Nepal. Agro-forestry practices have b... more More than 400,000 ha of land have been damaged by rivers in Nepal. Agro-forestry practices have been launched in those areas with the twin objectives of countering land degradation problems and meeting the demands of local people for fuelwood, fodder, and small timber. This study assessed the effectiveness of such practices in the riverside areas of the middle hills region in reclaiming the flooddamaged lands, considering vegetation establishment, land productivity and control of weed infestation (Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum munja) as the bases for evaluation. Data were gathered from the field measurements and observations. Results of two years' study showed that Dalbergia sissoo could be successfully intercropped with Zea mays, Solanum tuberosum, Cajanus cajan and Phaseolus vulgeris in flood-affected areas. There was no significant difference in growth performance of Dalbergia sissoo planted in river-affected areas and unaffected areas. Yields of various crops have also been documented. Species composition was found to have changed in silvipasture plots. The study reveals that agro-forestry practices have been effective in reclaiming the flood-damaged areas.

A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify major hazards, assess vulnerabilitie... more A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify major hazards, assess vulnerabilities and analyze risks of future disasters and recommend key mitigating measures to make prospective communities in Mutiara village resilient to disasters. This paper is prepared based on a rapid reconnaissance survey of the area where Canadian Red Cross (CRC) is planning to build houses for December 2004 tsunami-affected people. Data were collected both from primary sources in consultation with the people residing nearby resettlement area and local leaders, and secondary sources. For the analysis of the hazard and vulnerability of the prospective communities, the crunch and release models were used. Risk analysis was done using risk matrix.

After the tsunami of December 26, 2004 the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) initiated immediate response ... more After the tsunami of December 26, 2004 the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) initiated immediate response and recovery operations in Aceh and Nias Island. CRC provided financial and technical backstopping to the Indonesian Red Cross Society (PMI) to implement Early Warning System and Emergency Communications (EWS) program. The specific objective of this Program was to improve PMI's response and risk mitigation capacity through the establishment and operationalization of an Early Warning and Emergency Communication Network. Radio systems has been set up in all the target 26 locations, PMI staff and volunteers have been trained on radio operation and risk communications, and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) along with a national framework for emergency communications has been developed. PMI early warning system has been effective in communicating messages in times of disasters. During the flooding of January 2007 in six districts of NAD province and during the earthquake of March 2008 in Simulue Island, PMI radio systems were the only means of communication for government as well as the humanitarian organizations. These are simple, locally affordable and locally repairable and long lasting.

A two-hectare plot of a deciduous dipterocarp-oak forest of Doi Suthep-Pui National park of north... more A two-hectare plot of a deciduous dipterocarp-oak forest of Doi Suthep-Pui National park of northern Thailand protected against fire for 28 years was compared with a similar, but frequently burnt forest nearby with respect to changes in plant diversity. The objective of the study was to find out the effects of forest fire protection on plant diversity. To survey the tree communities, six meter wide transects with a total length of 650m in each site were laid out across the slope of the mountain following a bearing of 60 0 . To survey the ground flora, quadrates of 2×2 m 2 area were placed in each site covering 2.3% of the total transect area. The importance value percentage (IP) of trees > 10 cm DBH, species composition and diversity for both tree and ground flora communities were calculated. The species richness of both the ground flora and tree species was higher in the protected areas. The occurrence of evergreen or tropophyllous trees was greater in the protected area than in the burnt area.

A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify key hazards, assess vulnerabilities ... more A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify key hazards, assess vulnerabilities and analyze risks of future animal attacks and recommend key mitigating measures to make communities in Mata Ie and Arongaon villages in resilient to future disasters. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview key community informants. Data were collected from field observations and consultation with government agencies, NGOs and community members. For the analysis of the hazard and vulnerability of the prospective communities, the crunch, and pressure and release models were used. Risk analysis was done using risk matrix.

This publication captures the findings of a study on flood early warning systems in Nepal that as... more This publication captures the findings of a study on flood early warning systems in Nepal that assessed the institutional arrangements, key stakeholders, legal provisions, coordination and linkage mechanisms, and four key elements of early warning systems from a gender perspective. It also gathered experience from two villages with functioning community-based flood early warning systems.

This report aims to improve understanding of the existing flood early warning systems in Nepal, and suggests ways to make early warning systems more effective and responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups, and women in particular. By promoting the integration of the gender perspective into disaster risk management efforts, this study contributes to the Hyogo Framework for Action. The report can be a valuable tool for use by key national stakeholders, policy makers, planners, and community members who are risk from flood hazards in Nepal.