International journal of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research (2456–4567) www.dassonopen.com

Worst scenario of population in region () and some management approaches (case study 2016)

Pratik chakraborty Student Geography& applied Geography North Bengal University

Abstract

Darjeeling hills are famous for her natural beauty and also of natural disasters (especially landslide). Tindharia is one of the region of active landslide which day by day affecting the population and its settlement tremendously. The main aim and objective of this study is to look into those problems of the people and support them with some management approaches. A survey was conducted to gathered information (both from physical and socio-economic aspect) which helps to draw out both qualitative and quantitative results of that region. The study mainly depicts; the worst scenario of population, how it is changing and how both physical and social conditions shaping the settlement, also both scientific and theoretical works of many authors incorporated in this paper which will help a research community for further analysis.

Keywords – Field study and research, Landslides, Socio-economic aspects, Management approaches.

Introduction- Darjeeling hills are unique from environmental perception. Diversified climatic zones are there with lofty mountain ranges along with endangered plants and animals in this hilly region. Landslides are common in Darjeeling because the area is formed comparatively recent rock structure, landslide vary from one area to other with varying intensity causes disaster. Due to rapid growth of population and accumulation of human guilt; landslide hazard have become a common factor to the people of the hill most probably people living under the roof of landslides.

Major type of slope failure in darjeeling himalayas are:-

(a) Slump- Paglajhora region represents a large slumping slide area; gradual subsidence of hill cart road has been noticed since 1996.

(b) Debri slide- Debris slide are commonly found in the region of Tindharia and Chunabhati.

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(c) Earth- rock flow- This type of slope failure often found in Tindharia and Mahanadi region.

Study area (location)- Tindharia a very old railway settlement developed by the road side (NH55) along the railway tracts on which Darjeeling toy train runs (Lat. 26*50’ to 26*53’ west & Long. 88*20’ to 88*22’ east). This region is mainly composed of gondowana formation of which sandstone and shale are noteworthy. This have more or less been extended in NE to SE direction with varying depth inter bedded

Fig (1)- Location of Tindharia tea garden (Tindharia town; kuerseong)

with coal seams of few centimetre thick only. Quartzite, Phyllite, slate and mica schist of Daling formation are found above sandstone. The landslides have been identified on the lower sandstone at 25.5 km and 29.33 km. water seeping into coarse textured sandstone helps in decomposing feldspar to form clay mineral, which acts as a lubricant for further sliding of rocks, which are steeply inclined towards roadside. Settlement of Tindharia town faces a lot of difficulties in their day to day life due to silent slumping of time and land beneath their foot.

Methodology and methods- Direct field observation and survey is the principle methodology of the study. Survey was conducted during the month of March 2016. The information about the geological structure is collected from secondary data whereas, the socio-economic data collected from local people. The environmental condition, social set up, economic condition, effect of landslide etc. studied directly from the field observation. As Tindharia is a landslide prone area various studies and research had done previously but, the distinct study of both physical and socio-

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International journal of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research (2456–4567) www.dassonopen.com economic aspects which changing the settlement and livelihood never been done about the region in past. In this context, I am dealing with the data’s and information based on the settlement of Tindharia region gathered from various sources help me draw out a brief sketch of the condition of peoples thriving their; along with their problems they often face during natural disaster (special ref. to land slide associated issues).

Social setup of tindharia town – A small town Tindharia comprises all it mesmerising beautiesand depicts a picture of simple living. Most of the male and female population are engaged in tea leaves plucking activity. There is no definite population record or a complete survey report is available hence, it will be difficult to draw out a valid logical conclusion. From a survey of 2016 we came to know that; the population is near about 1618 whereas, in 2001 the population is about 536. Hence the population have increased.

2016 Survey report of isolated population/settlement Tindharia town in (%)

Population 0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 60 + years years years years years years years Male 4.89 15.78 21.4 24.5 20.9 14.1 2.1 Female 3.00 13.5 20.5 21.2 18.5 14.2 1.0

Type of settlement – Mainly the settlement formed in a dispersed way found here and there in the hilly tracts. Semi sprinkled type of settlement are concentrated usually in the north western part from the landslide affected area. Due to landslide, most of the houses were shifted and concentrated towards the north eastern part.

Economic and other activities- The economic activity mainly depends on Tindharia tea garden and adjacent tea garden of the hills. Most of the men and women working group depends upon the tea garden, a large share of population depends upon the tourism industry. In tourist season temporary activities somehow flourished viz. stall of fast food, room for rent etc. Primary activity such as agriculture is not practised due to steep slope.

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Daily wage labour

Business ( small scale)

Govt. service

Primary activity

Non workers

House types- Most of the houses are made of cement( Pakka houses) relatively compact structure, somewhere there are two stored houses are also found. Kaccha and semi pakka houses are found less and they are dispersed away from the major town settlement. One of the vital information gathered during survey is that, maximum cemented houses do not have a proper under foundation or base. Some of houses at the top are in very dangerous condition standing in an angle (>5*).

Problems of population in tindharia

It is a region of active landslide, the settlement is dispersed but the whole residences build in a slanted topography. Population residing there faces a lot of problem from economic, social and physical (geographically and geologically) point of views. Those are –

(i) Climate – rainfall and temperature is an important aspect in climate which generates climatic variation in hilly areas especially in Tindharia region.

(ii) Rainfall and temperature – The heavy shower in monsoon season and dry condition in winter and sometime in summer season is considered as a major factor. Sometime heavy shower last for 2-3 days accounting to as high as 800 mm rainfall with an intensity reaching up to 100mm per hour. Such severe rain lowers the slope stability.

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Temperature variation also create disturbance, it hampers the living condition in Tindhria region. Change in wet and dry condition may result into loosened topography may generate landslide. From the gathered information and plotted diagram it is clear that landslide associated problems in locality takes place in monsoon. Due to heavy pour of water droplets, the threshold limit of the relief breaks causing landslide and other physically associated problems. Due to heavy precipitation transportation hinders; some time scarcity of food and other amenities took place which is one of the major problems in that area.

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(iii) Drinking water supply- Drinking water problem is one of the major problems of Darjeeling and no doubt, it is also a problem of population of Tindharia. Drinking water becoming scare day by day, the civic authorities and government having failed to control the situation. Water becomes a sellable commodity in Darjeeling know, water was being stored in hand carts and water tankers. A major portion of population in Tindharia belongs to daily wage group hence; sometime it becomes difficult to pay the amount specially when there is no work.

Fig (4)Incidence of Hill diarrhea by consuming contaminated water (in %)

By consuming polluted water containing arsenic and lead like injurious mineral’s and elements, hill diarrhea is a common phenomenon. Sometime there is no regular supply of water also.

(iv) Food and other amenities – Agricultural activity is not usually done in Tindharia region due to steep slope hence, they are dependent on supply. Some vegetables crops are there in most of the houses for their own need. Price flactuation (sometime due to physical and political issues) causes a lot of problem especially in summer season and the month between July and September.

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100.00%

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%

20.00%

0.00% Agricultural activity Import of Food

(Calculated by the author from the data obtained during survey 2016)

(v) Landslides- No doubt, the region is famous for active landslides and landslide is the main reasons for all those problems discussed. A landslide at Tindharia on NH-55 about 56 km from Darjeeling damaged a major portion of the road as well as, the Tindharia locomotive workshop of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway developed cracks. Tindharia landslide falls under the zone of EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH LANDSLIDE PRONE AREAS and this is one of the massive landslides measuring more than 150 ft. deep and it will take a lot of time for repairing.

(Source- darjeeling.gov.in)

Apart from damage done to a huge stretch of road, people from about 5 to 8 houses were replaced to some other places. Along with roads train lines are also been damaged and no further transportation is conducted which is a major loss (both

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from social and economic point of view) to the people of Tindharia region. No further construction work for recovery purpose is continued because on nil result of reconstruction, due to this a group of marginal workers suffering and searching for other occupation. Reopening of railway lines will be a tough challenge for the engineer, further retrogression of landslide will lead to the loss of adjacent buildings. The landslide causes both economic cost and economic loss through the region.

(vi) Problems due to anthropogenic activities- Change in the land use pattern such as, unplanned construction and deforestation inviting a lot of problems due to various human activity. The developing urban centre (dispersed and unplanned) in Tindharia has brought drastic change in the morphology and land use pattern and the population considerably change over the past. Such huge unplanned construction, deforestation and vehicle movement are triggering mild to moderate movements which in turn cause the risk of landslide. The gradual sliding and sinking of NH-55 will be a major upcoming issue, which is a result of dynamite exploration for construction of road, may trigger a massive landslide once again with greater intensity.

Management approaches

Proper management is needed to solve the problems of local peoples in hilly areas with special reference to Tindharia town. Various measures are taken previously in different areas along with different magnitude. Due to various problems people of that area along with tourist suffers a lot. Along with landslide there are various problems and which need a proper scientific management. Some management approaches are short listed which are given by many authors 60 Volume I Number I June 2016

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and researchers (suggestion taken from various sources stated in reference column, some ideas are given by the author himself) which will be suitable and beneficial for that area–

What to do – Some approaches in favour are-

(1) Soil confirmation treatment – Sliding will takes place due to relative height and steep slope. The area is composed of weak rock and unconsolidated rocs in the slopes make it highly dangerous. Hence, protective rock bounded dam or wall in the slope or gravel fill retention walls which will help to increase shear strength and may resist sliding of rocks and debris, it will decrease the hazard to some extent.

(2) Landslide hazard zonation mapping- The most scientific and effective way of mitigation measure is mapping of landslide hazard zone. By identifying and mapping the landslide prone zone, drainage scars, slope gradient and effective emergency plan can help Tindharia region before massive disaster. Such hazard mapping to a large scale may generate awareness to local people for the purpose of settlement and land use activity.

(3) Vegetative cover – This is one of the most effective way to reduce soil erosion and landslide hazard. Afforestation in the slope areas may reduce the fall of debris, and planting grasses in the slope will reduce soil erosion. There is a loss of vegetation took place during construction work of NH-55, due to deforestation the railway tract and the road becomes more vulnerable.

(4) Unplanned settlement- Construction of cemented (more than two stored) buildings over weak geology and unstable slope must be restricted.

Some effective house building pattern – As expansion of settlement is taking place day by day, proper house i.e. planned and well-designed house will be needed in future. Many engineers, geologist and geomorphologist proposed and recommended some hose building pattern which may be taken as suggestion for betterment of Tindharia town and adjacent hilly areas settlement.

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(Fig- 5 & Fig- 6)

These diagrams (fig-5, fig-6) are the models of architecture showing how buildings will be constructed in slopes. The earthquake shocks mainly move from the epicentre laterally and there will be less chance to get vibration vertically from below. Hence, the use of spring and rubber may increase the resistance of the houses during landslide or an earthquake.

(5) Rock bolts and anchors- This technique of stabilizing are found commonly in mining estates. They can also be applied for stabilising the soil slope in association with other retaining structure. However this method is very rarely adopted in Darjeeling Himalayas but, in Tindharia region this method may be applicable (based on slope and geologic structure).

(6) Retention walls along with percolation and seepage holes- Nowadays this method is widely used in Darjeeling hill areas. Tindharia region also having this kind of protection. Maintenance of those walls are necessary, because small shrubs, big roots and underlying materials sometime block the passage due to which hindrance of excess water runoff take place. Sometime the wall collapse due to excessive soil saturation.

(7) Advice- Do get advices from engineer, geologist and geomorphologist before constructing further buildings.

(8) Proper land use planning- Proper land use planning with proper implementation which will be helpful both from socially and economically for that area.

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What not to do- Some approaches against are:-

 Avoid modification of natural drainage.  Don’t cut the slope toe.  Don’t use flat roof, use slanting roof houses.  Don’t construct multi stored building on steep slope with no base.  Don’t overlook the tendency of slide hazard.  Don’t fill materials on a steep slope and don’t through waste material on steep slope.

Conclusion From the overall discussion and survey report somehow it is clear that people living in Tindharia region having a lot of problems. They have to think several times about the result, the work they are doing or will be done in future. That management approaches somehow may be helpful if it is applicable. Tindharia tea garden supports them a lot and plays an important role for this settlement. As the area having dispersed settlement, but from the report we can state that, there is a tendency of population growth (if both physical and socio-economic condition in favour) in future. But, the unfavourable physical condition along with landslide and heavy down pour may hinder the tendency of urbanisation, population growth and concentration of planned settlement in that area. Many Geologist, Geomorphologist and Engineers opined that, the half slumped unstable NH-55 along Tindharia region will exploited one day (suggested by many experts) which will affect the settlement of Tindharia to a greater extent. Hence, “metropolis or necropolis” depends upon the threshold of time and behaviour of nature itself.

Acknowledgement-  This paper couldn’t have been completed without the cooperation and support of Tindharia peoples and the information from the tea garden area.  This paper couldn’t have been completed without the valuable support of journals and documents of many scholars (Basu and Verma, Paul, Sinha, Sarkar, Basu and De, Sengupta and many other authors) and their publication.  I am highly grateful to Prof. SubirSarkar (NBU, Geography and applied geography dept.) for his guidance and teachings.

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References

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