New Delhi, Dec. 14 -- Sri Lanka is currently grappling with gigantic challenges of rebuilding the areas that faced the massive devastation caused by Ditwa cyclone. Most environmental experts feel a collective disaster management mechanism is essential for South Asia, which is one of the world's most disaster-prone regions. After the recent devastation, the calls to strengthen collective preparedness has only intensified.

Esala Weerakoon, former secretary general of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and a former foreign secretary of Sri Lanka, has observed that it is time to seriously consider a South Asian Climate Compact-a renewed, collective commitment to safeguard our environment, protect the people in the r...