Experts suggest systematic study to mitigate landslides in Nagaland

DGM’s 38th State Geological Programming Board meeting

Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 21: Even as Nagaland has witnessed unprecedented occurrence of landslides in the recent months, a geologist, David Lhoupenyi Koza has suggested carrying out systematic study on both the earth surface and sub-surface in order to prevent and mitigate such incidents.

Koza was speaking to Eastern Mirror exclusively on the topic ‘survey and mitigation of landslides’ at the 38th State Geological Programming Board (SGPB) meeting organised by the Directorate of Geology and Mining (DGM on September 21 in Dimapur.

The geologist said that landslides are slow in nature as it is a matter of water working inside for so many years. It is not easy for landslide to happen in two to three years, but once released, it will go down for next the 30 to 40 years, he explained.

“Things should have been taken care of two to three years back. Had we taken preparatory measures or studied the issue beforehand, we could have solved the problem. But, we did not take care of it in advance,” Koza pointed out.

He also highlighted about the financial constraints and said: “We don’t want to spend INR 15 to 20 lakh on a landslide because we think it is a big amount. But, if we are to study major slides, we have to invest that much. The provision we have is usually INR 1 to 2 lakh, and with that allotment, nothing much can be done.”

Although there is no concrete plan yet, Koza added that he is looking forward to central assistance particularly that of a collaborative work with the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

DGM joint director, S Manen, spoke on groundwater scenario in Nagaland. He said 90% of Dimapur’s population depends on groundwater. He said an average of 29790 ring-wells including that of the department and private were dug in Dimapur alone, followed by Kohima with an average of 130. Mon has the least number of ring-wells with an average of five, he informed.

He also mentioned about the ongoing activities by the department. It included groundwater exploration on exploratory and deposit, artificial recharge of groundwater, studies and site selection feasibility, hydro-geological mapping, monitoring of groundwater levels, and censuring of groundwater structures.

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) North Eastern Region (NER), Guwahati, presented a review of works done during 2018-19. It updated that the groundwater resource estimation (GWRE) as on March 2017 by GEC 2015 methodology (new methodology) for the state of Nagaland is in the final stage.

It further informed that the works carried out during 2017-18 under NAQUIM studies have been completed in seven districts including Dimapur, Kohima, Phek, Wokha, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, and Tuensang. Besides, it also conducted other activities such as ground water regime monitoring and assessment, training programme, national hydrology project etc.