Q.Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats.
How to approach: Use parameter-based comparison (e.g., origin, institutional nature, socio-economic impact) or a clean comparative matrix before summarizing the overarching takeaway.
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A landslide refers to the downward movement of a mass of rock, soil, or debris along a slope. It is a form of mass wasting driven primarily by gravity, influenced by geological, morphological, and human-induced factors.
Body
Causes in the Western Ghats:
Mining and Quarrying: Intensive mining activities in the Western Ghats region act as a major factor destabilizing slope structures.
Deforestation: Extensive clearing of forests for human settlements and road construction weakens soil cohesion.
Anthropogenic Slopes: Human activities create unnatural, steep slopes that succumb to gravity and heavy rainfall.
Concentrated Rainfall: High susceptibility to landslides during intense, localized monsoon downpours.
Infrastructure Projects: Large-scale projects, such as wind farms, cause structural fracturing in mountainous terrains (e.g., in regions like Ratnagiri, Satara, and Idukki).
Causes in the Himalayas:
Tectonic Instability: Unlike the stable Western Ghats, the Himalayas are young fold mountains that are seismically active and fragile.
Steep Slopes and High Relief: High vertical gradients make slopes naturally unstable and prone to gravity-driven mass wasting.
Heavy Rainfall and Cloudbursts: Intense precipitation triggers rapid soil saturation, leading to sudden debris flows and mudslides.
Unplanned Urbanization: Rapid construction, road widening, and hydel projects destabilize the fragile slopes.
Measures for Landslide Mitigation:
Imposing strict regulations on construction, road building, and dam development in high-risk zones.
Restricting agricultural activities to flatter valleys and moderate slopes.
Implementing extensive afforestation programs and constructing retaining walls/bunds to control water runoff.
Conclusion
Landslide hazards have escalated due to human interventions. Implementing the recommendations of the Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees, along with NDMA guidelines, is crucial for sustainable mountain development.
Question Specifications, Marking Rubric & Syllabus Mapping
| Examination & Year | UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 2021 (Question 1) |
|---|---|
| Paper & Syllabus Topic | General Studies Paper I — Heritage, History, Society & Geography → Physical, Human & Indian Geography |
| Marks, Word Limit & Ideal Time | 10 Marks • 150 Words • Ideal Writing Time: 7–8 Minutes |
| Directive Word & Core Demand | Compare & Contrast: Identify both structural similarities and sharp points of divergence between the entities or periods mentioned. |
| Recommended Structure Split | Intro: ~20–25 Words • Body: ~100 Words (3–4 dimensions) • Conclusion: ~20–25 Words |
| AI Practice & Evaluation Tools | Upload Handwritten Answer for 3-Min Vision AI Evaluation | Generate Custom Answer & Mind Map |
Related & Repeated UPSC Mains PYQs (5)
Past UPSC Mains questions connected to this node in the 3D PYQ Realm knowledge graph.
Bring out the causes for more frequent landslides in the Himalayas than in Western Ghats.
There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghats. Why?
Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent.
The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides. Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.
Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy.
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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Mains 2021 GS1 (Geography)
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This 2021 GS Paper I question carries 10 marks with a 150-word limit and uses the "Compare & Contrast" directive. Use parameter-based comparison (e.g., origin, institutional nature, socio-economic impact) or a clean comparative matrix before summarizing the overarching takeaway. Follow the ideal word split (Intro: ~20–25 Words • Body: ~100 Words (3–4 dimensions) • Conclusion: ~20–25 Words) and aim to finish within 7–8 Minutes.
Which UPSC Mains syllabus topic does this 2021 question belong to?
This question is part of General Studies Paper I — Heritage, History, Society & Geography under the syllabus module "Physical, Human & Indian Geography". You can explore all repeated questions from Geography in Acme AI's 3D PYQ Realm or filter all Geography PYQs on the Mains PYQ Directory.
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