Jammu, Jun 13: The Geological Survey of India (GSI), Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh unit Friday organised a one-day workshop on “Landslide challenges and mitigation measures in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh” in Jammu.
A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion focussing on landslide disaster management in the Ramban area of Jammu and Kashmir, encouraging open dialogue and sharing of best practices. Presentations by GSI experts and other stakeholders emphasized the role of scientific data, early warning systems and collaborative strategies in enhancing regional disaster management.
As per the expert participants, this workshop was a crucial step for promoting inter-agency coordination and adopting evidence-based approaches to mitigate landslide risks in the Himalayan region.
The workshop aimed to address the increasing frequency and impact of landslides in the region, which is characterized by complex geological structures and vulnerable climatic conditions. It highlighted that landslides pose significant threats to life, infrastructure and ecological balance that needed a coordinated response and strategic planning on the part of different stakeholders.
The event witnessed participation from several institutions including the State Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department J&K; National Institute of Hydrology Jammu; Central University of Jammu; University of Jammu; University of Kashmir; Cluster University Jammu; Department of Geology and Mining Jammu and the Central Ground Water Board Jammu. The workshop also featured insights from defence and law enforcement personnel. Brigadier Anuraj Tyagi of the Northern Command and Dr Mohd Haseeb Mughal, DIG Traffic Police Department, shared practical challenges encountered on the ground in landslide-prone zones. Virtual attendees included representatives from GSI-GHRM Cell Kolkata; GSI state units from Lucknow and Uttarakhand and GSI Srinagar Office.
Officials from NHIDCL, CVVP and the Kiru-Kishtwar Hydro Project, along with academicians from various institutions across Jammu and Kashmir, also contributed to the proceedings. The workshop was conducted under the chairmanship of Rajinder Kumar, Additional Director General and Head of Department, Northern Region, GSI, Lucknow in the presence of Sanjiv Kumar, Deputy Director General. The event was convened by Dr P S Misra, Deputy Director General, J&K and Ladakh, GSI, with valuable contributions from several retired senior officers of the organisation.
