The mountainous regions of Uttarakhand are disaster-prone and have lacked development as compared to the plain regions. Except the State, civil society and the media have vital roles to play as far as this issue is concerned. Considering this, the Indian Institute of Management Kashipur (IIM Kashipur) has commenced work in this vital area of study. In collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the institute has undertaken a study titled, “Mitigating Disasters and Promoting Development in Uttarakhand: A Participatory Model for the State, Civil Society and Media”, under Prof KM Baharul Islam, chairperson, Planning and Development at IIM Kashipur. The aim of the project is to look at the relations between disasters and development at one hand and roles and responses of the State, civil society and media on the other. It also aims to explore the possible public participation, environment friendly and sustainable development model in the hilly districts of Uttarakhand. The specific objectives of the study include understanding the community’s understanding of the disaster and its role and response in the disaster- preparedness, response and management; accessing the needs and concerns of the community relating to livelihoods, development and normalcy; investigating role of the State, civil society and media for a disaster risk reduced sustainable participatory development, and developing a model of development for the mountainous districts of the State. As the proposed study will address a set of complex research questions, the methodology will be a mixed one and adopt an integrated approach. Before commencement of the data collection process, a workshop will be conducted to strengthen framework and methodology at the initial level. The workshop will include a range of experts from academia, development sector and State machinery. The study will cover individual households and villages affected by the recent disaster in the hilly region of Uttarakhand, especially four districts of the Uttarakhand state - Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pithoragarh. Apart from this, key informants from international NGOs, national media houses, State Government and the central Government will also be interviewed.