Best Practices
Introduction
A best practice is a technique, method, process, activity, incentive, or reward which conventional wisdom regards as more effective at delivering a particular outcome than any other technique, method, process, etc. when applied to a particular condition or circumstance.They are the most efficient and effective (best results) way of accomplishing a task, based on repeatable procedures that have proven themselves over time for large numbers of people.A given best practice is only applicable to particular condition or circumstance and may have to be modified or adapted for similar circumstances. In addition, a "best" practice can evolve to become better as improvements are discovered.1) Flood Early Warning System |
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Background & Motivation: |
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Flood is a regular phenomenon in this part of India, the past experiences and assessment findings revealed that an effective, efficient and reliable early warning system was lacking in the area. Several messages spread in the community during 2009 flood but they were not taken seriously and considered as ‘not credible’ by the community. Many a times these messages create confusion among the community members. |
| SSK carried out a study on existing early warning structures and processes through VCON Services Private Limited, Delhi on a consultancy basis. It was complemented by an internal study by SSK’s early warning team on existing early warning system and traditional early warning practices of community in Bahraich. The study identified the major gaps in the existing system in the form of time delays occurring from district level to the hamlet level, lack of accountability on the lower levels to disseminate the information in time and above all the district administration itself is informed only if the water released from barrage is above one lac cusec at one go. |  |
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On the basis of recommendations of the study, several options, ranging from satellite based systems to village knowledge centers, were considered to effectively link the government levels with the community. Finally a new system was developed by SSK. This system relies on the existing information chain of warning messages from the barrages to the state and district level. |
It uses the cost effective technical component based on a simple ‘auto‐dialing programme’ with pre‐recorded voice messages being transmitted at the push of a button to a list of phone numbers saved on the server. As in the project area (20 panchayats of 7 blocks), the project articipants have formed 20 Early Warning (EW) task forces consisting of 180 members. It was then decided that SSK shall present it before the district and state administration for joint implementation of this EWS system.
Purpose:
The prime purpose of developing this system was to disseminate flood early warning messages to the communities residing at flood risk zone of Bahraich district.
• Timely and proper flood related information
• Amount of water discharged from the barrages.
• Informs the time it shall affect their panchayat or village.
• Provide enough time for the evacuation
• Strengthens relation between district administration and community.
• Community ownership in the installed EWS.
• Each and every household is being informed about the impending flood.
• It saves lives, livestock, and property.
• Strengthen community relationship and involvement
