Expert advice on active sliding zones in Dharamsala ignored

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 1

Many landslides and flash floods have hit hill regions in the month of July causing massive loss to public and private property. Many people have lost their life in landslide in Boh valley near Dharamsala and houses have been washed away in flash flood in Manjhi river in Bagli village near Dharamsala.

The landslides and devastation have once again brought into focus the unplanned constructions taking place in Dharamsala region.

A scientific study that was conducted by Dr AK Mahajan, professor in environment sciences department of Central University Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), who was earlier working for Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, had put many zones in Dharamsala, including Tirah Lines, Barakoti, Kajlot, Jogiwara, Dhial, Gamru and Chohla under the category of active sliding zones.

The experts had warned that constructions should not be carried out in active sliding zones of the city as this can threaten the life and property of people. However, all these areas now have multi-storey buildings and are thickly populated. As per the experts, many buildings constructed in the active sliding zones were threatened as they have not been constructed with proper advice from experts.

As per the study, main factors for the areas being active sliding zones are geology, topography, high slope gradient and thick loose soil deposits. The study states that Dharamsala town is located between two major thrusts. These tectonic thrusts have developed a number of splays that cause lot of tectonic material in the area.

Due to tectonic movement, rocks in Dharamsala are highly deformed, folded and fractured. The fracturing of rocks and presence of loose material coupled with high seepage leads to very high land slide hazard, Dr AK Mahajan’s study states.

Dr Mahajan, when contacted, said that his study on active sliding zones in Dharamsala region was purely scientific in nature. The study was at the disposal of town and country planning and district authorities. It was their job to take the study into consideration while implementing the rules governing construction in the area.

When asked if he or other geological experts were ever consulted by the district administration or town and country planning departments for advice on constructions or planning, Dr Mahajan said that they were consulted only after the tragedy took place. He said it would be better if the advice of geologists was taken while planning the projects or private constructions, especially in area that are active sliding zones or geologically active.

Sources here said that experts many times have warned the district authorities against unscientific cutting of hills by private individuals. However, the warnings have been ignored.

Many portions of the crucial Dharamsala-Mcleodganj road are threatened and facing slide due to heavy rains in the month of July.