Assessment of slope instability and its impact on land status: a case study from Central Himalaya, India

Abstract

Tectonic instability, geological sensitivity along with human intrusion in Himalaya has greatly exacerbated the occurrence of hazardous situation. Dynamics of slope instability have been evaluated under three processes leading to geomorphic instability, viz. i. erosion ii. mass wasting and iii. anthropogenic. Their causative factors have been identified under Ghuniyoli Gad watershed. The measurement of the intensity, magnitude and nature of instability factors were done within the units of 1 km2 under 21 units of watershed. Each unit was evaluated in terms of type, extent and corresponding degree of instability along with their potential assessment. The stage of erosion reveals that Ghuniyoli Gad watershed experiences instability. Maximum units fall under instability of degree 1 and degree 2 (38% and 38%) while minimum units belong to instability of degree 4 (4.76%). The instability of degree 3 contributes only about 19.04%. Appropriate mitigation measures to overcome hazardous calamities are needed to be introduced therein.