The Himalayas and the Western Ghats, two of India’s prominent mountain ranges, exhibit contrasting patterns in landslide occurrences despite both being susceptible to such natural disasters. The Himalayas, characterized by towering peaks and diverse geological formations, experience more frequent landslides compared to the Western Ghats. This discrepancy arises from various factors inherent to the Himalayan region, including its tectonic activity, fragile rock structures, steep slopes, heavy monsoon rains, and widespread deforestation. In contrast, the Western Ghats, with their comparatively gentler slopes, stable geological composition, and less intense rainfall, witness fewer instances of landslides. Understanding these causative factors is crucial for effective disaster mitigation and land-use planning in these regions.
Tag: Important geophysical phenomenon.
Decoding the Question:
- In Introduction, try to define landslides.
- In Body, discuss the causes for frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats.
- Conclude with showing the impacts of these landslides in the region.
Answer:
Landslides are simply defined as the mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope and have come to include a broad range of motions whereby falling, sliding, and flowing under the influence of gravity dislodges earth material. The two regions most vulnerable to landslides are the Himalayas and the Western Ghats. Compared to the Western Ghats region, the slides in the Himalayas region are huge and massive and more frequent.
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.
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
The geographical factors, such as the steepness of the Himalayas, coupled with various infrastructure projects, increases the chances of landslides in the Himalayas than in the Western Ghats.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
