Relationship between Selected Physiographic Features and Landslide Occurrence around Four Hydropower Projects in Bhagirathi Valley of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India
Affiliation(s)
1 School of Agricultural, Earth & Environmental Sciences, College of Science and Agriculture, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa. 2 G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora India.
1 School of Agricultural, Earth & Environmental Sciences, College of Science and Agriculture, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa. 2 G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora India.
ABSTRACT
The Himalayan mountain range is an internationally recognised landscape but one under increasing developmental threat. The lower Himalayan region possesses immense potential for hydropower generation but is also highly susceptible to tectonic deformation and mass wasting, especially landslides. Susceptibility to landslides increases markedly with human activity, especially large scale developmental projects. The impacts of massive hydropower plant construction in the Bhagirathi Valley, Uttarkhand, India on the generation of landslides are the focus of this study. Whilst many positive impacts derive from such projects, devastating negative impacts also accrue. The frequency and characteristics of land sliding within the sphere of influence of the construction sites of the various hydropower plant components were investigated. Landslide frequency was related to parameters of geology, prior land use, drainage density, slope steepness and location in terms of construction aspect. Landslide frequency was found to be greatest in gneissic terrain as well as on previously agricultural and forested lands. Statistical analysis revealed significant relationships between landslide frequency with slope and, frequency with construction aspect, especially the construction of access roads. As with other studies, road construction is the key initiator of land sliding due to slope over steepening and the indiscriminate dumping of debris. The study concludes with recommendations for reducing the frequency and magnitude of mass wasting in this environment.
The Himalayan mountain range is an internationally recognised landscape but one under increasing developmental threat. The lower Himalayan region possesses immense potential for hydropower generation but is also highly susceptible to tectonic deformation and mass wasting, especially landslides. Susceptibility to landslides increases markedly with human activity, especially large scale developmental projects. The impacts of massive hydropower plant construction in the Bhagirathi Valley, Uttarkhand, India on the generation of landslides are the focus of this study. Whilst many positive impacts derive from such projects, devastating negative impacts also accrue. The frequency and characteristics of land sliding within the sphere of influence of the construction sites of the various hydropower plant components were investigated. Landslide frequency was related to parameters of geology, prior land use, drainage density, slope steepness and location in terms of construction aspect. Landslide frequency was found to be greatest in gneissic terrain as well as on previously agricultural and forested lands. Statistical analysis revealed significant relationships between landslide frequency with slope and, frequency with construction aspect, especially the construction of access roads. As with other studies, road construction is the key initiator of land sliding due to slope over steepening and the indiscriminate dumping of debris. The study concludes with recommendations for reducing the frequency and magnitude of mass wasting in this environment.
Cite this paper
Ballabh, H. , Pillay, S. , Negi, G. and Pillay, K. (2014) Relationship between Selected Physiographic Features and Landslide Occurrence around Four Hydropower Projects in Bhagirathi Valley of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India. International Journal of Geosciences, 5, 1088-1099. doi: 10.4236/ijg.2014.510093.
Ballabh, H. , Pillay, S. , Negi, G. and Pillay, K. (2014) Relationship between Selected Physiographic Features and Landslide Occurrence around Four Hydropower Projects in Bhagirathi Valley of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India. International Journal of Geosciences, 5, 1088-1099. doi: 10.4236/ijg.2014.510093.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0169-555X(94)00085-6 [2] Nath, S.K. (2004) Seismic Hazard Mapping and Microzonation in the Sikkim Himalaya through GIS Integration of Site Effects and Strong Ground Motion Attributes. Natural Hazards, 31, 319-342.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:NHAZ.0000023355.18619.0c [3] Khattak, G.A., Owen, L.A., Kamp, U. and Harp, E.L. (2010) Evolution of Earthquake-Triggered Landslides in the Kashmir Himalaya, northern Pakistan. Geomorphology, 115, 102-108.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.09.035 [4] Korup, O., Densmore, A.L. and Schlunegger, F. (2010) The Role of Landslides in Mountain Range Evolution. Geomorphology, 120, 77-90.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.09.017 [5] Kuenza, K., Dorji, Y. and Wangda, D. (2004) Landslides in Bhutan. Country Report, Department of Geology and Mines, Royal Government of Bhutan, Thimpu. [6] Norbu, C., Baillie, I., Dema, K., Jamyang, Y., Dema, Y., Tshering, K., Tamang, H. and Turkelboom, F. (2003) Types of land degradation in Bhutan. Journal of Bhutan Studies, 8, 88-114. [7] Sharma, S., Kuniyal, J.C., Agrawal, D.K. and Sharma, J.C. (2008) Role of Environmental Impact Assessment and Public Involvement in Sustainable Development of Hydropower Projects in the Mountains—A Case of the Beas Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Indian Journal of Power and River Valley Development, 58, 37-47. [8] Kuniyal, J.C. and Sharma, R. (2008) Environmental Assessment of Hydropower Projects in the Himalayan Beas Valley of Himachal State, India. In: Singh, A.L. and Fazal, S., Eds., Rural Environmental Management, B.R. Publishing, Delhi, 227-268. [9] Dharmadhikary, S. (2008) Mountains of Concrete. International Rivers Report, 1847, Berkeley, California. [10] Chandrasekharan, M.E. (1995) Case Study of Reservoir Sedimentation in the Western Ghat Region of Kerala. In: Anonymous, Ed., Environmental Impact Assessment Studies (Case Studies), Central Board of Irrigation and Power, Pub. No. 248. New Delhi, 192-197. [11] DDMGU (2012) Dehradun Geological Note on Baderkhila Landslip, Menagadnala Area at Gyansu Village in Uttarkashi. Department of Disaster Management Dehradun, Government of Uttarakhand. [12] GBPIHED (2011) Environmental and Social Impacts of Hydropower Plants in the Ganga River Basin. Final Technical Report, GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora. [13] Sharma, M.C. and Owen, L.A. (1996) Quaternary Glacial History of the NW Garhwal, Central Himalayas, India. Quaternary Science Reviews, 1, 335-365.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0277-3791(95)00061-5 [14] Naithani, N.P. (1992) Study of Quaternary Sediments between Maneri and Gangnani Area, District Uttarkashi Garhwal Himalaya (U.P). Ph.D. Thesis, HNB Garhwal University Srinagar, Garhwal. [15] Rana, N, Sati, S.P., Sundriyal, Y.P., Doval, M.M. and Juyal, N. (2007) Socio-Economic and Environmental Implication of the Hydroelectric Projects in Uttarakhand Himalaya, India. Journal of Mountain Sciences, 4, 344-353.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11629-007-0344-5 [16] Agarwal, N.C. and Kumar, G. (1973) Geology of the Upper Bhagirathi and Yamuna Valleys, Uttarkashi District. Kumaun Himalaya, 3, 1-23. [17] Metcalf, P.L. (1993) Landslide Investigation and Hazard Zonation in the Greymouth Urban Area. Unpublished MSc Thesis (Engineering Geology), University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 184. [18] Owen, L.A., Sharma, M. C. and Bigwood, R. (1995) Mass Movement Hazard in the Garhwal Himalaya: The Effects of the 20 October 1991 Garhwal Earthquake and the July-August 1992 Monsoon Season. In: McGregor, D.F.M. and Thompson, D.A., Eds., Geomorphology and Land Management in a Changing Environment, Wiley, Chichester, 69-88. [19] Owen, L.A., Sharma, M.C. and Bigwood, R. (1996) Landscape Modification and Geomorphological Consequences of the 20th October 1991 Earthquake and the July-August 1992 Monsoon in the Garhwal Himalaya. Zeitschriftfür Geomorphologie, 103, 359-372. [20] Valdiya, K.S. (2001) Reactivation of Terrane-Defining Boundary Thrusts in Central Sector of the Himalaya: Implications. Current Science, 81, 1418-1431. [21] Paul, S.K., Bartarya, S.K., Rautela, P. and Mahajan, A.K. (2000) Catastrophic Mass Movement of 1998 Monsoons at Malpa in Kali Valley, Kumaun Himalaya (India). Geomorphology, 35, 169-180.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(00)00032-5 [22] Barnard, P.L., Owen, A.L., Sharma, M.C. and Finkel, R.C. (2001) Natural and Human-Induced Land Sliding in the Garhwal Himalaya of Northern India. Geomorphology, 40, 21-35.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(01)00035-6 [23] Owen, L.A., Kamp, U., Khattak, A.G., Harp, E.L., Keefer, D.K. and Bauer, M.A. (2008) Landslides Triggered by the 8 October 2005 Kashmir Earthquake. Geomorphology, 94, 1-9.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2007.04.007 [24] Korup, O., McSaveney, M.J. and Davies, T.R.H. (2004) Sediment Generation and Delivery from Large Historic Landslides in the Southern Alps, New Zealand. Geomorphology, 61, 189-207.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2004.01.001
[1] Bartarya, S.K. and Sah, M.P. (1995) Landslide Induced River Bed Uplift in the Tal Valley of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Geomorphology, 12, 109-121.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0169-555X(94)00085-6 [2] Nath, S.K. (2004) Seismic Hazard Mapping and Microzonation in the Sikkim Himalaya through GIS Integration of Site Effects and Strong Ground Motion Attributes. Natural Hazards, 31, 319-342.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:NHAZ.0000023355.18619.0c [3] Khattak, G.A., Owen, L.A., Kamp, U. and Harp, E.L. (2010) Evolution of Earthquake-Triggered Landslides in the Kashmir Himalaya, northern Pakistan. Geomorphology, 115, 102-108.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.09.035 [4] Korup, O., Densmore, A.L. and Schlunegger, F. (2010) The Role of Landslides in Mountain Range Evolution. Geomorphology, 120, 77-90.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.09.017 [5] Kuenza, K., Dorji, Y. and Wangda, D. (2004) Landslides in Bhutan. Country Report, Department of Geology and Mines, Royal Government of Bhutan, Thimpu. [6] Norbu, C., Baillie, I., Dema, K., Jamyang, Y., Dema, Y., Tshering, K., Tamang, H. and Turkelboom, F. (2003) Types of land degradation in Bhutan. Journal of Bhutan Studies, 8, 88-114. [7] Sharma, S., Kuniyal, J.C., Agrawal, D.K. and Sharma, J.C. (2008) Role of Environmental Impact Assessment and Public Involvement in Sustainable Development of Hydropower Projects in the Mountains—A Case of the Beas Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Indian Journal of Power and River Valley Development, 58, 37-47. [8] Kuniyal, J.C. and Sharma, R. (2008) Environmental Assessment of Hydropower Projects in the Himalayan Beas Valley of Himachal State, India. In: Singh, A.L. and Fazal, S., Eds., Rural Environmental Management, B.R. Publishing, Delhi, 227-268. [9] Dharmadhikary, S. (2008) Mountains of Concrete. International Rivers Report, 1847, Berkeley, California. [10] Chandrasekharan, M.E. (1995) Case Study of Reservoir Sedimentation in the Western Ghat Region of Kerala. In: Anonymous, Ed., Environmental Impact Assessment Studies (Case Studies), Central Board of Irrigation and Power, Pub. No. 248. New Delhi, 192-197. [11] DDMGU (2012) Dehradun Geological Note on Baderkhila Landslip, Menagadnala Area at Gyansu Village in Uttarkashi. Department of Disaster Management Dehradun, Government of Uttarakhand. [12] GBPIHED (2011) Environmental and Social Impacts of Hydropower Plants in the Ganga River Basin. Final Technical Report, GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora. [13] Sharma, M.C. and Owen, L.A. (1996) Quaternary Glacial History of the NW Garhwal, Central Himalayas, India. Quaternary Science Reviews, 1, 335-365.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0277-3791(95)00061-5 [14] Naithani, N.P. (1992) Study of Quaternary Sediments between Maneri and Gangnani Area, District Uttarkashi Garhwal Himalaya (U.P). Ph.D. Thesis, HNB Garhwal University Srinagar, Garhwal. [15] Rana, N, Sati, S.P., Sundriyal, Y.P., Doval, M.M. and Juyal, N. (2007) Socio-Economic and Environmental Implication of the Hydroelectric Projects in Uttarakhand Himalaya, India. Journal of Mountain Sciences, 4, 344-353.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11629-007-0344-5 [16] Agarwal, N.C. and Kumar, G. (1973) Geology of the Upper Bhagirathi and Yamuna Valleys, Uttarkashi District. Kumaun Himalaya, 3, 1-23. [17] Metcalf, P.L. (1993) Landslide Investigation and Hazard Zonation in the Greymouth Urban Area. Unpublished MSc Thesis (Engineering Geology), University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 184. [18] Owen, L.A., Sharma, M. C. and Bigwood, R. (1995) Mass Movement Hazard in the Garhwal Himalaya: The Effects of the 20 October 1991 Garhwal Earthquake and the July-August 1992 Monsoon Season. In: McGregor, D.F.M. and Thompson, D.A., Eds., Geomorphology and Land Management in a Changing Environment, Wiley, Chichester, 69-88. [19] Owen, L.A., Sharma, M.C. and Bigwood, R. (1996) Landscape Modification and Geomorphological Consequences of the 20th October 1991 Earthquake and the July-August 1992 Monsoon in the Garhwal Himalaya. Zeitschriftfür Geomorphologie, 103, 359-372. [20] Valdiya, K.S. (2001) Reactivation of Terrane-Defining Boundary Thrusts in Central Sector of the Himalaya: Implications. Current Science, 81, 1418-1431. [21] Paul, S.K., Bartarya, S.K., Rautela, P. and Mahajan, A.K. (2000) Catastrophic Mass Movement of 1998 Monsoons at Malpa in Kali Valley, Kumaun Himalaya (India). Geomorphology, 35, 169-180.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(00)00032-5 [22] Barnard, P.L., Owen, A.L., Sharma, M.C. and Finkel, R.C. (2001) Natural and Human-Induced Land Sliding in the Garhwal Himalaya of Northern India. Geomorphology, 40, 21-35.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(01)00035-6 [23] Owen, L.A., Kamp, U., Khattak, A.G., Harp, E.L., Keefer, D.K. and Bauer, M.A. (2008) Landslides Triggered by the 8 October 2005 Kashmir Earthquake. Geomorphology, 94, 1-9.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2007.04.007 [24] Korup, O., McSaveney, M.J. and Davies, T.R.H. (2004) Sediment Generation and Delivery from Large Historic Landslides in the Southern Alps, New Zealand. Geomorphology, 61, 189-207.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2004.01.001