Local Governance is our heritage. Panchayat Raj Institutions in India have the history of more than 2000 years. The role of local government institution, especially the village Panchayat on disaster risk reduction is obligatory. Even in the recent incident of tsunami disaster occurred in the southern sates of India, the sharp and immediate reflection for rescue and risk reduction was sound from local Panchayats. Unfortunately these Village Panchayats were not duly recognized and given with preparative perspectives. In most of the time it operates with relief mode. Such scope of disaster incidences is very high in coastal areas.

As the basic level of Government, Panchayat has crucial role to play in the disaster prone area. Being closer and immediate government system for the local community, it can react intensively beyond relief and restoration activities to preparedness perspectives. The role of the local Panchayat system goes very wide and in different dimensions.

Disaster preparedness mechanisms would be piloted in Kameswaram Village Panchayat of Nagapattinam District, Tamilnadu. It was one of the coastal Panchayats affected by tsunami.

• Developing a tool kit on disaster preparedness and the role of village Panchayat governance to facilitate disaster risk reduction.
• Promoting working committee on Disaster Risk Reduction village Panchayat level in one Panchayat.

• Tool box on the content
• Capacity building modules for Panchayat representatives, Community Information Centre members and people institutions in local language.