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Scientists of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and concerned organisations and the administrators attending the one-day workshop on Developing Landslide Mitigation Strategy here yesterday were of the view that evolving of an early warning system would go a long way in saving life and property in the landslide prone areas. They felt that this would imply concerted effort of all concerned in the action plan. A public awareness campaign should also be taken up for the success of this effort.
Inaugurated by the Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Shivraj Patil, the workshop took into consideration the views expressed by the Minister of State for Coal & Mines, Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao; Secretary Mines, Shri C.D. Arha; Secretary (BM), Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri A.K. Rastogi and the Director-General, GSI, Dr. K.N. Mathur who spoke on the inaugural function.
The workshop was organised jointly by the National Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Geological Survey of India, Department of Mines, Ministry of Coal and Mines. The speakers in the workshop appreciated the selection of such a relevant and focused theme and bringing together on a single platform all concerned organizations and agencies for developing a National Strategy for mitigating landslide hazard in the country. Landslide hazard alone is responsible for about 1,000 deaths and property damage to the tune of $ 4 billion globally every year. About 15 per cent of India's land area is prone to various degrees of landslide hazard.
GSI has mapped nearly 12,000 sq. kms. of sensitive areas and an inventory of 7600 site specific landslides have been prepared. It has more than 11,000 dedicated work force spread over difficult areas of India and abroad. With its experience in the field for more than 150 years, it has been designated the nodal agency for landslide studies.
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