WESTERN GHATS - LANDSLIDES
1. Context
Massive landslides hit the district of Wayanad in northern Kerala in the early hours of July 30, with continuous torrential rainfall triggering large-scale death and destruction in Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Meppadi, and entire villages being washed away. The death toll stands at 215, though the number of missing people indicate that the real toll will be higher
2.What are the possible causes for landslides in Western ghat?
- Experts agree that multiple factors contribute to landslides, both natural and human-induced. Nearly half of Kerala’s land—19,301 sq km or 49.7%—is susceptible to landslides, according to the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
- The region’s heavy rainfall and the steep slopes of the Western Ghats make Wayanad particularly vulnerable, with 31.54% of the district at high risk, as per IIT-Delhi research.
- Human activities have heightened the risk of natural disasters; increased construction and changes in agricultural practices are key contributors.
- Wayanad has seen a tourism boom in recent years, with homestays and monsoon tourism gaining popularity. Ecologist Madhav Gadgil highlights the construction of resorts, artificial lakes, and abandoned quarries as inappropriate developments in this sensitive zone.
- Long-term land use changes, beginning with British-era tea plantations and continuing post-Independence, have also played a role.
- A 2022 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reported a 62% decrease in forest cover and an 1,800% increase in plantation areas from 1950 to 2018. Monocropping has led to the destabilization of topsoil previously held by forest roots.
- Climate change has indirectly contributed by altering rainfall patterns in the state. The warming Arabian Sea fosters deep cloud systems, resulting in intense rainfall over short periods.
- Such events have become more frequent even as the number of rainy days during the monsoon has decreased.
- Despite Wayanad receiving 527 mm of rainfall in 48 hours before the landslide, the district has had normal monsoon rainfall averages, while Kerala has experienced deficits, according to the India Meteorological Department.
- The previously cool, humid environment with consistent drizzles and monsoon rains is now characterized by hotter, drier summers and intense monsoon downpours.
- This shift increases landslide risks, as dry soils absorb less water and heavy rains cause runoff, leading to landslides
3.What are the natural and man-made factors that triggered large-scale death and destruction in Kerala?
Large-scale death and destruction in Kerala have been triggered by a combination of natural and man-made factors:
Natural Factors
- Kerala experiences intense monsoon rains, which can lead to flooding and landslides. The Western Ghats, with their steep slopes, are particularly prone to such events
- The topography of regions like Wayanad, which have a significant slope, makes them highly susceptible to landslides
- Changes in climate patterns have resulted in more intense and concentrated rainfall events, even though the overall number of rainy days has decreased. The warming Arabian Sea has contributed to the formation of deep cloud systems that lead to heavy downpours
Man-Made Factors
- There has been a significant reduction in forest cover due to plantation agriculture and other developmental activities. This loss of vegetation weakens the soil structure, making it more prone to landslides
- Unregulated construction, including resorts, homestays, and other infrastructure, has destabilized the land. Inappropriate development in sensitive zones, such as the construction of artificial lakes and abandonment of quarries, has exacerbated the risk.
- Changes in crop patterns, including the shift to monocropping, have degraded the land. Monocropping loosens the topsoil, which was previously held together by the roots of diverse forest plants
- The rise in tourism, particularly monsoon tourism, has led to increased construction and human activity in vulnerable areas, further destabilizing the environment
- Long-term changes in land use, starting with British-era tea plantations and continuing in the post-independence era, have had a lasting impact on the region's ecological stability
4. What are Gadgil Committee reccomendations?
The Gadgil Committee, formally known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), was established by the Ministry of Environment and Forests of India in 2010 under the chairmanship of ecologist Madhav Gadgil. The committee was tasked with assessing the ecological status of the Western Ghats and providing recommendations for its conservation and sustainable development.
Here are some of the key recommendations made by the Gadgil Committee:
- Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ): The committee proposed classifying the entire Western Ghats into three zones based on their ecological sensitivity:
- ESZ 1: Highest sensitivity areas where stringent regulations should apply.
- ESZ 2: Moderate sensitivity areas with moderate regulations.
- ESZ 3: Lowest sensitivity areas where the least restrictive regulations would apply
- Ban on Certain Activities in ESZ 1: Activities such as mining, quarrying, and large-scale constructions should be banned in ESZ 1. Deforestation and conversion of public lands for private purposes should also be prohibited.
- Regulation of Developmental Activities: Developmental activities in ESZ 2 and ESZ 3 should be carefully regulated to ensure they do not harm the environment. This includes control over tourism, infrastructure projects, and industrial activities
- Protection of Forests: Emphasis on the conservation and regeneration of natural forests. Plantation activities should be eco-friendly, promoting native species.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Measures to protect the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats, including the establishment of wildlife corridors and conservation areas.
5. Significance of Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hold immense ecological, climatic, cultural, and economic significance:
- The Western Ghats are one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity. They host over 7,400 species of flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6,000 insect species, and 290 freshwater fish species, many of which are endemic.
- A significant proportion of the species found in the Western Ghats are endemic, meaning they are not found anywhere else in the world. This includes many unique species of plants, animals, and microorganisms
- The region provides crucial ecosystem services, such as water purification, climate regulation, soil stabilization, and carbon sequestration
- The Western Ghats play a critical role in the Indian monsoon system. They intercept the moisture-laden winds from the southwest, causing heavy rainfall on the western side, which supports lush forests and agriculture
- The forests of the Western Ghats act as a climate buffer, moderating temperatures and maintaining regional climate stability
- The Western Ghats are the source of numerous rivers, including the Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery, which provide water to millions of people in peninsular India. These rivers are crucial for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower
- The Western Ghats are home to numerous indigenous communities and tribal groups who have lived in harmony with the environment for centuries. These communities have rich cultural traditions and knowledge systems linked to the forests and biodiversity
- Many areas in the Western Ghats are considered sacred by local communities and host numerous temples, shrines, and pilgrimage sites.
- The Western Ghats support diverse agricultural systems, including spice plantations (pepper, cardamom), tea, coffee, and rubber. These crops are economically significant both domestically and for export
6.Way forward
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been appointed as the primary agency for conducting landslide studies and developing an early warning system and protocols for reducing landslide risks. However, according to a senior GSI official, this system is still in the experimental phase and will require an additional four to five years before it is ready for public implementation. Since the start of the 2024 monsoon, regional landslide forecast bulletins have been issued to state and district authorities in Wayanad, mostly indicating a "low" probability of landslides, with a "moderate" probability predicted on July 30, 2024
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For Prelims: Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Landslides, Flash floods
For Mains: GS 1 - Indian Geography
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Previous year questions
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1. Which of the following statements in respect of landslides are correct? (NDA 2022) 1. These occur only on gentle slopes during rain.
2. They generally occur in clay-rich soil.
3. Earthquakes trigger landslides.
Select the correct answer using the code given below. A. 1 and 2 B. 2 and 3 C. 1 and 3 D. 1, 2 and 3 Answer: (B) For Mains: 1. Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy. (250 words) (2021)
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Source: The Hindu
