Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 73
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Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 74
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
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&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&amp;rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Image Courtesy: &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal&quot;&gt;Researchgate.net&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

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&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&amp;rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Image Courtesy: &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal&quot;&gt;Researchgate.net&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal,...&#039;
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal,..."/>
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                <strong>Prof YP Sundriyal, leading geologist who teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University, interviewed by  Rashme Sehgal  (Newsclick.in)</strong></h1>
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                <p style="text-align:justify">-Newsclick.in</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em>As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.</em></p><p style="text-align:justify">Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?</p><p style="text-align:justify">We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY" title="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Image Courtesy: <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal" title="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal">Researchgate.net</a></strong></p>               </font>
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&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&amp;rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Image Courtesy: &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal&quot;&gt;Researchgate.net&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal,...&#039;,
	&#039;disp&#039; =&gt; &#039;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;-Newsclick.in&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&amp;rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY&quot; title=&quot;https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Image Courtesy: &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal&quot; title=&quot;https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal&quot;&gt;Researchgate.net&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#039;,
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	&#039;id&#039; =&gt; (int) 63186,
	&#039;title&#039; =&gt; &#039;Prof YP Sundriyal, leading geologist who teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University, interviewed by  Rashme Sehgal  (Newsclick.in)&#039;,
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&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&amp;rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Image Courtesy: &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal&quot;&gt;Researchgate.net&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal,...&#039;
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal,..."/>
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                <strong>Prof YP Sundriyal, leading geologist who teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University, interviewed by  Rashme Sehgal  (Newsclick.in)</strong></h1>
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                <p style="text-align:justify">-Newsclick.in</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em>As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.</em></p><p style="text-align:justify">Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?</p><p style="text-align:justify">We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY" title="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Image Courtesy: <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal" title="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal">Researchgate.net</a></strong></p>               </font>
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&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&amp;rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Image Courtesy: &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal&quot;&gt;Researchgate.net&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

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&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&amp;rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Q.&lt;/strong&gt; The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A.&lt;/strong&gt; The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;text-align:justify&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Image Courtesy: &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal&quot;&gt;Researchgate.net&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&amp;rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal,...&#039;
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal,..."/>
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                <strong>Prof YP Sundriyal, leading geologist who teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University, interviewed by  Rashme Sehgal  (Newsclick.in)</strong></h1>
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                <p style="text-align:justify">-Newsclick.in</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em>As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.</em></p><p style="text-align:justify">Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?</p><p style="text-align:justify">We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY" title="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Image Courtesy: <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal" title="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal">Researchgate.net</a></strong></p>               </font>
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		'description' => '<p style="text-align:justify">-Newsclick.in</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><em>As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.</em></p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?</em></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?</em></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Image Courtesy: <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal">Researchgate.net</a></strong></p>
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal,...',
	'disp' => '<p style="text-align:justify">-Newsclick.in</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em>As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.</em></p><p style="text-align:justify">Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?</p><p style="text-align:justify">We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY" title="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Image Courtesy: <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal" title="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal">Researchgate.net</a></strong></p>',
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	'title' => 'Prof YP Sundriyal, leading geologist who teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University, interviewed by  Rashme Sehgal  (Newsclick.in)',
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<p style="text-align:justify"><em>As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.</em></p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?</em></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?</em></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Image Courtesy: <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal">Researchgate.net</a></strong></p>
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As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.

Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal,...'
$disp = '<p style="text-align:justify">-Newsclick.in</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em>As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists&rsquo; fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons.</em></p><p style="text-align:justify">Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true?</p><p style="text-align:justify">We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes&rsquo; fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct.</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><em><strong>Q.</strong> The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there?</em></p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>A.</strong> The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures.</p><p style="text-align:justify">Please <a href="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY" title="https://www.newsclick.in/policymakers-mindset-must-change-disaster-free-hill-roads?fbclid=IwAR2vQlJNmR5uJD0oT24rbUCC3X8JZcBz8nnhRsoUHo7oAo76fzXj42l0FRY">click here</a> to read more.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Image Courtesy: <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal" title="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yaspal-Sundriyal">Researchgate.net</a></strong></p>'
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Prof YP Sundriyal, leading geologist who teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University, interviewed by Rashme Sehgal (Newsclick.in)

-Newsclick.in As landslides plague Garhwal Himalayas, geologist YP Sundriyal says it confirms scientists’ fear that geologically weak areas will destabilise during monsoons. Leading geologist Prof YP Sundriyal teaches the subject at the Hemavati Bahuguna Garhwal University. In this interview with NewsClick, Sundriyal, who specialises in the Garhwal region of the Himalayan range, expresses concern about the rising frequency of landslides. He believes the government must set up a special fund to maintain the slopes to stop the frequent landslides and adopt scientific norms of strengthening the fragile hillsides. Edited excerpts. Monsoons are barely here, but a significant number of landslides have already occurred on the Char Dham road, killing several and forcing roads closed. Are the worst fears of scientists who had warned against widening this road to 10 metres coming true? We [scientists] have been pleading that the wider the slope is cut, the more the area will destabilise. We had asked for an optimum width so vehicular traffic can ply without congestion and the slopes’ fragility is least tampered with. Since the type of rocks in [the Garhwal Himalayas] changes within short distances, uniform widening should not be applied at all. This is especially since the slopes in this region are much steeper. But no one listens to scientific reasoning. Importantly, we have funds for road-widening, but there is no provision for slope maintenance. Indeed, our fear of geologically weak and unstable areas bound to destabilise during monsoon months has been proved correct. Q. Uttarakhand has the highest number of unstable zones. A Department of Science and Technology report submitted to Parliament highlights that the Bhagirathi Valley alone has 235 such zones that witness frequent landslides. How is this affecting agricultural land in the State, and what are the other implications? A. One of the reasons for the large and growing number of unstable slopes is the speed at which hydropower projects have been implemented. Such projects require the excavation of approach roads, tunnels and road-widening. More so, we have mighty glacier-fed rivers that carry a large quantity of sediment. Hence, the erosivity of these rivers is significantly high. That could also be responsible for the creation of a large number of unstable zones.  Q. The landslide inventory map of 2021 showed the number of landslide zones in the Doon valley had crossed 100. An older IIT Roorkee study revealed that landslides increased from 20 to 100 in the last decade in the Doon valley. What are the reasons for this; could you elaborate in the context of how it impacts the people who live there? A. The creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state had a large number of people migrate from the hills to settle in Dehradun. Landslides have certainly increased due to high population density and unplanned construction without following environmental safeguards. The rivers which drain through the lesser Himalayas and traverse through the Doon Valley become furious during the monsoon months. To cite an example, the Rispana river, at whose bank the state Vidhan Shabha is located, poses a severe threat to the inhabitants of Dehradun. Another major environmental concern in the Doon Valley is the excessive exploitation of groundwater and limited surface area for its recharge due to the massive increase in concrete structures. Please click here to read more.    Image Courtesy: Researchgate.net