Hobbies And Interests
Geological Features
Landslides are a common problem in the main Himalayas due to the features of the mountains themselves. This relatively younger mountain belt is a geologically unstable area and subject to more seismic movement. In India, the incidence of landslides in the Himalayas is rated high to very high. Landslides are more common during the rainy season when the soil is heavy with moisture or drainage is impeded. There is a definite correlation between rainfall intensity and landslides. Volcanoes, earthquakes and other geological activities also cause landslides.
Agriculture
Agriculture is related to two problems that lead to landslides: deforestation and overgrazing. The problem worsens where mountain slopes lack a network of roots to stabilize the earth and rocks. Farmers clear land for crops and to graze animals, removing the root system that holds the soil to the side of the mountain. Irrigation that is connected to agriculture is also a cause of landslides in the Himalayas.
Transportation and Construction
Humans further exacerbate natural problems with construction and transportation. These two human activities are major catalysts for landslides -- in particular, road construction. Artificial vibrations caused by heavy trucks and machinery can cause landslides almost anywhere, but the vibrations are more dangerous in the relatively unstable Himalayas. The use of terraced farming practices in the Himalayas also exacerbates the problem, as it blocks the slope's normal drainage passages.
Quarrying and Mining
Any kind of excavation not only removes parts of the mountain but involves heavy machines and requires the construction of infrastructure that includes roads, heavy machinery and machine tools. These unnatural vibrations, coupled with the removal of large, possibly structurally important parts of the mountain, can cause landslides. Quarrying and mining also pollute the water table and destroy valuable topsoil.