Landslide Hazard around Mussoorie: The Lesser Himalayan Tourist Destination of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Identification of hazard prone areas and regulation of developmental initiatives in these is the key to disaster risk reduction. Slope instability is the most common hazard in all hilly areas and inherent fragility of the terrain makes Himalayan region all the more susceptible to landslides. Landslide hazard evaluation factor rating scheme is utilized for delineating areas prone to slope instability in the proximity of Mussoorie that is a major tourist destination of Uttarakhand in India. Of the 58 Sq. km area taken up under the study 18.4, 12.5 and 1.0 Sq. km. respectively fall under moderate, high and very high landslide hazard class. Detailed stability assessment is therefore recommended for developmental initiatives in moderate hazard class while regulating anthropogenic intervention is recommended in both high and very hazard classes.