Soil Nailing and Hydroseeding for Landslide Prevention | 18 May 2024

Source: TH

In a proactive move to address the persistent problem of landslides in the ecologically sensitive Nilgiris region, the State highways department is implementing a sustainable 'green' solution using the soil nailing and hydroseeding technique.

Soil nailing is a geotechnical engineering technique that involves the insertion of reinforcing elements into the soil to strengthen it and prevent soil erosion.
Following the soil nailing process, the 'hydroseeding' method will be applied, which involves the application of a mixture of seeds, fertiliser, organic materials, and water onto the soil to facilitate the growth of grass and plant-life.
- Around five species of grasses, including a few local species native to India, will be grown along the slopes.
- The highways department will be responsible for the maintenance of the grasses once the hydroseeding is completed.
This 'green' solution of preventing landslides through soil nailing and hydroseeding will help mitigate the impact of linear infrastructure, such as roads, in the ecologically sensitive Nilgiris region.