1st International Conference on “Landslides Risk Reduction and Resilience-2019”

News: The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs inaugurated the 1st International Conference on “Landslides Risk Reduction and Resilience” in Delhi. The conference has been organised by the National Institute of Disaster Management.

Facts:

About the Conference:

• The conference has been organised by the National Institute of Disaster Management.
• The aim of the Conference is to explore and debate the most recent advances in landslide risk reduction and resilience.

Additional Information:

Landslide:

• A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope due to the action of gravity.
• Areas with steep slopes, for example mountainous regions, are particularly susceptible to landslide hazards. 

Landslide Vulnerability in India:

1. Himalayan Mountain ranges and Hilly tracts of North-eastern region:

• immature and rugged topography,
• fragile rock conditions,
• high seismicity resulting from proximity to the plate margins,
• high rainfall
• Extensive anthropogenic interference, as part of developmental activities

2.  Western Ghats:

• steep hill slopes
• overburden
• High intensity rainfall.

3. Nilgiris Hills:

• High Intensity and protracted rainfall

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines on Landslide Hazard Management:

Landslide hazard management involves measures taken to avoid or mitigate the risk posed by landslide hazards.

1. Landslide Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment: This includes delineating areas susceptible to landslide hazards and status of landslide hazards in different areas and to assess the resources at risk due to these hazards
2. Landslide Remediation Practice: Encouraging implementation of successful landslide remediation and mitigation technologies.
3. Research and Development; Monitoring and Early Warning
4. Knowledge Network and Management: Establishing an effective system for gathering information on landslides, loss assessment resulting from landslides, and the effective dissemination of technical information and maps is an essential component of the disaster management process.
5. Capacity Building and Training: Developing institutional capacity and training for geoscientists, engineers, and planners is necessary for effective management of the landslide hazard.
6. Public Awareness and Education
7. Emergency Preparedness and Response: Development of coordinated landslide rapid response capability
8. Regulation and Enforcement: Establishment of a techno-legal mechanism of landslide hazard assessment and mitigation

National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

• NIDM is a premier institute which provides Capacity Building support to various National and State level agencies in the field of Disaster Management & Disaster Risk Reduction.
• It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs

 It was established in 1995 and is headquartered in New Delhi.