Answer:

Introduction:

Landslides are a significant geo-hazard in India, leading to considerable loss of life and property annually. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), approximately 15% of India’s landmass is prone to landslides, affecting over 300,000 square kilometres. The increasing frequency of landslides can be attributed to a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. 

The significant loss of lives and property due to landslides underscores the gravity of this issue. For instance, the Uttarakhand floods and landslides of 2013 resulted in thousands of fatalities and massive destruction of infrastructure. Similarly, the 2020 Kerala landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall, led to the loss of over 60 lives and displacement of hundreds. Such events highlight the devastating impact of landslides on vulnerable regions.

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Factors Responsible for the Increasing Occurrence of Landslides:

• Geological Factors:
  • Unstable Slopes: The Himalayan region’s young and unstable mountains are prone to landslides.
  • Seismic Activity: Frequent earthquakes destabilise slopes, triggering landslides.
  • For example: The 2015 Nepal earthquake caused multiple landslides in the bordering Indian states.
• Climatic Factors:
  • Heavy Rainfall: Intense and prolonged rainfall leads to soil saturation and slope failure.
  • Climate Change: Increased rainfall intensity due to climate change exacerbates the risk.
  • For example: Kerala experienced severe landslides during the 2018 and 2019 monsoons due to unprecedented rainfall.
• Human Activities:
  • Deforestation: Clearing of vegetation reduces slope stability, increasing landslide risk.
  • Construction Activities: Unregulated construction on hill slopes disrupts natural drainage and slope stability.
  • For example: The 2020 landslide in Uttarakhand was partly attributed to road construction activities.
• Infrastructure Development:
  • Road and Rail Projects: Large-scale infrastructure projects often involve extensive earth-moving activities.                                  
  • For example: The construction of the new highways in the Himalayan region has frequently been associated with landslides due to the extensive cutting and blasting of mountain slopes.
  • Hydropower Projects: Construction of dams and reservoirs can induce landslides.
  • For example: Landslides in the vicinity of the Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand have raised significant concerns about their impact on slope stability and the safety of the surrounding areas.
• Agricultural Practices:
  • Shifting Cultivation: Practices like slash-and-burn weaken soil structure and lead to erosion.
  • Unscientific Farming: Terracing and other methods, if not done properly, can destabilise slopes.
  • For example: In Mizoram, the practice of jhum cultivation has been linked to an increase in landslides. The clearing of vegetation for cultivation loosens the soil, making it more prone to erosion during heavy rains, which frequently leads to landslides in the region.

Current Disaster Management Framework for Landslides:

Legal Framework

• Disaster Management Act, 2005: This act provides the legal framework for disaster management in India. It establishes the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs).
• National Policy on Disaster Management, 2009: This policy outlines the approach to disaster management, emphasising a proactive, holistic, and integrated approach to disaster risk reduction and management.

Institutional Framework

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):
  • Role: Formulates policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management.
  • Guidelines: Issued specific guidelines for landslide mitigation in 2009.
• State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs):
  • Role: Responsible for disaster management planning and execution at the state level.
  • Implementation: Develop state-specific plans and ensure adherence to NDMA guidelines.
• District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs):
  • Role: Implement and coordinate disaster management activities at the district level.
  • Local Implementation: Work with local bodies to ensure community-based disaster management.

Analysis and Limitations:

• Policy and Legislation:
  • NDMA Guidelines: While comprehensive, the 2009 NDMA guidelines for landslide management are not uniformly applied across vulnerable regions, leading to inconsistent preparedness levels.
  • Implementation Gaps: State and local governments often lack the resources or will to enforce these measures effectively.
  • For example: The 2009 NDMA guidelines on landslide management are not uniformly applied across vulnerable regions, leading to inconsistent preparedness levels.
• Early Warning Systems:
  • Lack of Comprehensive Systems: India lacks an integrated and effective early warning system for landslides, unlike its systems for other natural disasters like cyclones and floods.
  • Technological Limitations: Many existing systems are outdated, relying on inadequate real-time data and limited geographical coverage.
  • For example: Only a few regions, such as parts of Himachal Pradesh, have operational early warning systems, leaving many high-risk areas unmonitored.
• Capacity Building:
  • Training and Awareness: There is a lack of systematic training and awareness programmes for local communities and government officials on landslide risk reduction and response.
  • Resource Constraints: Many SDMAs and DDMAs are under-resourced and understaffed, hindering effective disaster management.
  • For example: The 2020 Kerala landslides revealed a lack of local preparedness and the need for better training and resources.
• Response and Relief Mechanism:
  • Delayed Response: Rescue and relief operations are often delayed due to the challenging terrain of landslide-prone areas, lack of infrastructure, and limited accessibility.
  • Coordination Issues: There is poor coordination between various agencies involved in disaster response, such as the NDRF, state agencies, and local authorities.
  • For example: The response to the 2013 Uttarakhand disaster highlighted significant coordination and logistical challenges, leading to delayed rescue efforts.
• Mitigation Measures:
  • Structural Measures: Measures like constructing retaining walls, slope stabilisation, and improving drainage systems are often inadequate or poorly maintained.
  • Non-structural Measures: Land-use planning and zoning regulations aimed at preventing construction in high-risk areas are poorly enforced, leading to increased vulnerability.
  • For example: Post-2013, Uttarakhand has seen limited progress in implementing effective mitigation measures, with continued construction in vulnerable zones contributing to recurring landslide events.

Solutions and Recommendations:

• Strengthening Implementation:
  • Ensure uniform application of NDMA guidelines across all vulnerable regions.
  • Allocate adequate resources to state and local governments for enforcement of disaster management measures.
• Enhancing Early Warning Systems:
  • Develop and deploy integrated, state-of-the-art early warning systems for landslides across all high-risk areas.
  • Utilise advanced technology for real-time data collection and dissemination.
• Capacity Building:
  • Implement comprehensive training and awareness programmes for communities and officials.
  • Strengthen SDMAs and DDMAs by providing adequate resources and staffing.
• Improving Response Mechanisms:
  • Enhance coordination between national, state, and local agencies for timely and efficient disaster response.
  • Invest in infrastructure improvements to ensure better accessibility to affected areas.
• Effective Mitigation Measures:
  • Regularly maintain and upgrade structural mitigation measures like retaining walls and drainage systems.
  • Strictly enforce land-use planning and zoning regulations to prevent construction in high-risk areas.

Conclusion:

India’s current disaster management framework for landslides needs significant improvements. Enhancing early warning systems with advanced technology, ensuring strict enforcement of mitigation guidelines, building local capacity, and improving coordination among agencies are crucial steps. A future-oriented approach emphasising sustainable development and resilient infrastructure can significantly reduce landslide risks and enhance community resilience.

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