Applications of Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) in Eco System Based Disaster Risk Reduction - Studies from Kerala State of India

The correlation between ecosystem and disasters are widely documented but inadequately integrated in to disaster risk reduction initiatives and developmental programmes. The present work examines the scope of vetiver system as a natural solution for various environmental risk reduction activities. The Vetiver System (VS), which is based on the application of vetiver grass - a perennial grass of Indian origin (Vetiveria zizanioides L Nash, now reclassified as Chrysopogon zizanioides L Roberty), was first developed by the World Bank for soil and water conservation in the mid 1980s. It is a very simple, practical, inexpensive, low maintenance and incredibly efficient means of natural disaster reduction. The two case works in the study reported here documents the success of VS application in the state of Kerala in India and the implementation strategy for the vetiver system in the fields with the collaboration of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The study also identifies the potential entry points of VS in the ecosystem based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR). Integrating local level disaster risk reduction activities in the national level programmes will ensure the sectoral integration in DRR initiatives. Vetiver system can very effectively be used as a cost effective and efficient Eco DRR technology that can address both long term and short term risk with ecosystem management.