A Thematic Evaluation of Livelihood and Community Based Disaster Preparedness Projects

The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 left a vast trail of death and destruction along the coastlands of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala. The livelihoods of the people inhabiting the coastlands suffered unprecedented damage. The fisher-folk communities, small and marginal farmers, salt pan workers, agricultural labour and those dependent on backwaters for their livelihoods faced extreme loss and devastation. A vast majority of the fisher folk had their boats and nets destroyed or lost. The surging brackish water flooded the inland areas and rendered large tracts of arable land uncultivable. Ponds, wells and other water bodies were inundated and rendered unusable. The salinity levels of ground water increased and the pH content of land went up. Salt pans in vast areas were destroyed, rendering salt farming nearly impossible. The road and other public infrastructure were badly affected. Not only fishing, salt farming and agriculture but other occupations along the coastlands of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh were adversely affected. The marine disturbances associated with the Tsunami also affected the aquatic resource base, the main source of livelihood for the fishing communities.