Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Introduce with what are landslides and general causes of landslides.
• Discuss some of the unique causes which are associated to the particular region only (Aspirants must draw a map of India showing vulnerability of landslides).
• Give a way forward in brief.

Introduction

A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.

They are a type of mass wasting, which denotes any downward movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.

Body

Landslides are caused due to three major factors: geology, morphology, and human activity.

• Geology refers to characteristics of the material. The earth or rock might be weak or fractured, or different layers may have different strengths and stiffness.
• Morphology refers to the structure of the land. For example, slopes that lose their vegetation to fire or drought are more vulnerable to landslides.
• Human activity which includes agriculture and construction increases the risk of a landslide.

Causes of Landslides in Himalayan Region

• Geology: Himalayas are young, fragile mountains still growing, hence susceptible to natural landslides, tectonic activity, with the plate moving up which causes instability.
• Morphological: Steep and sharp slope in the Himalayas.
• Anthropogenic: These include, jhum cultivation, deforestation etc., leading to landslides.

Causes of Landslides in Western Ghats

• Geology: These factors play a very little role here as the Western Ghats are one of the most stable landmasses.
• Anthropogenic: Heavy mining activities, Deforestation for settlements and cutting for road construction, Windmill projects have led to huge fractures on the mountains, loosening structures.

Conclusion

Following Measures for the mitigation of landslides can be taken -

• Restriction on the construction and other developmental activities such as roads and dams in the areas prone to landslides.
• Limiting agriculture to valleys and areas with moderate slopes.
• Promoting large-scale afforestation programmes and construction of bunds to reduce the flow of water.
• Terrace farming should be encouraged in the northeastern hill states where Jhumming (Slash and Burn/Shifting Cultivation) is still prevalent.