The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, hosted its inaugural international conference “Landslides Risk Reduction and Resilience” on November 28, 2019, in New Delhi. The goal of this conference was to gather all relevant stakeholders such as representatives from various ministries, universities, and experts in the field to exchange valuable knowledge, innovation, information, and practical experiences targeted at reducing the risks associated with landslides and boosting resilience at both national and international levels.
About the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
Established under the Disaster Management Act of 2005, the National Institute of Disaster Management has a key role in the development of human resources, capacity building, training, and research. Additionally, it is responsible for documentation and policy advocacy in the field of disaster management. NIDM operates from New Delhi and is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Understanding Landslides
A landslide is best described as a downward movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth along a slope. It’s a type of “mass wasting,” which implies any downslope movement of soil and rock directly influenced by gravity. Several factors can instigate landslides, including the slow weathering of rocks, soil erosion, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.
Global Impact and Losses Due to Landslides
Various studies reflect the impact and losses due to landslides globally. According to the Global Fatal Landslide database 2004-2016, there were 55,997 fatalities recorded across 4,862 distinct landslide episodes. These numbers exclude those triggered by earthquakes.
| Continent | Landslides Impact |
|---|---|
| Asia | Suffers the maximum damages/losses |
| South Asia | South Asian nations are the worst sufferers with India being among the most affected countries |
The annual cumulative losses due to landslides worldwide, in terms of lost property, environmental damage, repair works, and the maintenance of defense measures, amount to several billions of USD. According to the Geological Survey of India, economic loss due to landslides could reach between 1-2% of the gross national product in many developing countries.
Landslides: A Threat to National and International Levels
Landslides pose a significant threat both nationally and internationally. Given their widespread and frequent occurrence, it’s crucial to adopt measures to tackle them effectively. The conference hosted by the NIDM aimed to bring stakeholders together to discuss, debate, and disseminate practically useful knowledge and experiences that would go a long way in reducing the risk and raising the resilience towards landslides.
