Dr Shantanu Sarkar
Director, ULMMC
Slope instability problems in hilly regions are one of the most common problems which are responsible for loss of life and property every year. Like all the natural hazards, landslides and mass wasting are also of major concern to mankind. These can be considered as one of the most destructive geological processes causing not only enormous damage to roads, bridges, houses but sometimes even loss of life. Although an individual slope failure is, in general, not so spectacular or devastating as an earthquake, a volcanic eruption or a flood, yet, being much more frequent and widespread over the years, landslides have caused considerable loss of property and life. Construction on hill slopes has become widespread because of increasing population, expansion of human settlements and gradual reduction of lands in non-hilly areas. This corresponds to the increase in vulnerability to a large extent. The lack of mitigation measures in construction projects is unacceptable in view of the increasing disaster risk.
The Himalayan region and especially the state of Uttarakhand has a sensational record of disastrous events that have occurred over the past century and took a heavy toll on lives and properties. Landslide hazards, in general, cannot be completely prevented. However, their intensity and severity can be minimized by taking effective measures and by planning for disaster preparedness. Disaster management associated with hill slope instability should address proper land use plans, enforcement of building codes and good construction practice, early warning systems, construction of control measures, community preparedness, and awareness building. It is an imperative task to have technologies available at hand for stabilization of chronic and recurring landslides.
Considering the present landslide disaster scenario and in the backdrop of the above, the Government of Uttarakhand has established the “Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre" with the objective to identify landslide-prone areas and provide sustainable and scientific solutions to various stakeholders and enhance resilience.