Over the last several years, there have been intermittent reports of land subsidence in Himalayan states. This problem has affected many parts of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Chenab Valley.
Land sinking is common in the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir’s four districts: Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban and Reasi. Last February, subsidence damaged several houses in Nai Basti area of Doda. Down to Earth (DTE) published a detailed report about this tragedy.
After last year’s incident, minor land subsidence and frequent landslides were reported in various areas of the Chenab Valley, particularly in the districts of Ramban, Kishtwar, and Doda. However, the damage was not as extensive. These incidents mostly occurred during rainfall.
More recently, severe land subsidence was reported from Parnote village in Ramban district, located around 150 kilometres (km) from Jammu on the way to Srinagar on National Highway-44.
Late on April 26, 2024, land subsidence in Parnote village, Ramban damaged at least 60 houses and affected around 500 people. The village is located approximately 6 km east of Ramban town. Hundreds of acres of agricultural land were also impacted.
Read more: After Joshimath, now Doda? Land subsidence in Chenab Valley village; 300 evacuated
“Earlier, landslides would occur during rain and snowfall in J&K. However, in the last 10 to 15 years, incidents of land subsidence have become more frequent, with a significant increase in the past 5 years,” said Badrul Duja, a Srinagar-based environmental lawyer.
Duja attributed the incidence of subsidence primarily to chaotic construction and unplanned urbanisation in hilly regions. “The unscientific disposal of wastewater also plays a significant role in this. Wastewater from residential and commercial establishments accumulates in the mountains, leading to land subsidence, which becomes more severe during rainfall,” he said.
Hydraulic experts and geologists have also raised concerns about this issue. When land subsidence incidents damaged several houses in Doda district last year, renowned geologist Professor GM Bhat told DTE that the absence of a proper drainage system was the primary reason for the land subsidence in the Nai Basti hamlet of Doda district.
This observation was later confirmed in a detailed report submitted by a nine-member committee established on the directive of National Green Tribunal (NGT).
In its order dated February 17, 2023, NGT directed the J&K government to establish a committee to investigate the incident of land subsidence in Doda. The nine-member committee was chaired by the chief secretary of J&K.
Other members of the committee included Professor JS Rawat of Kumaon University, Almora; principal secretary of forests, environment and ecology of the J&K government and representatives from reputable scientific institutions, including National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee; National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Bangalore and Central Pollution Control Board.
The committee conducted a thorough field survey of the affected area of Nai Basti in Thathri in Doda district on May 8-9, 2023. The local sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Thathri and the conservator of forests, Chenab Circle, along with their respective teams, accompanied the committee.
Read more: Doda land subsidence: Improper drainage system among main causes, say geologists
The committee filed a detailed report before NGT, which read:
The affected settlement at Nai Basti, Thathri (24 affected houses/structures) was established majorly on Shamlat land (that is, village pasture land), prior to 2014 when Thathri became a municipality, as informed by SDM Thathri. As such, there were no extant construction by-laws applicable and no retaining wall with weep holes, or planned drainage or sewage disposal structures were observed in the affected area, except unplanned PVC pipes for the purpose of sewerage disposal to the road side drainage downslope. As per local officials, soil bearing capacity assessment, other feasibility studies, etc also would not have been carried out prior to the construction of these structures
Experts suggest that unscientific liquid waste management is one of the reasons for land subsidence in the Parnote area of Ramban, which is densely populated.
However, many experts also point out that chaotic construction and large-scale development projects, such as the construction of tunnels, highways, and railways, have had an impact on the mountains surrounding the Ramban area, making them more susceptible to landslides and land subsidence.
“Over the past 10 to 15 years, several major infrastructure projects have been initiated in Ramban and its surrounding areas. This includes the widening of NH-44 that connects New Delhi with Srinagar via Jammu,” said Aquib Javid, a Srinagar based journalist who has extensively reported about land sinking.
The work on converting the highway to four lanes has been ongoing for the last eight years, but it has yet to be completed due to frequent and severe landslides between Ramban and Banihal. In the last 15 days, the NH 44 highway has been closed for almost 10 days due to landslides and land subsidence near the Ramban area, Javid added.
Some local residents of Ramban also allege that several tunnels constructed by blasting through mountains around Ramban are contributing to land subsidence. Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line project has been undertaken in the region, said local resident Sanjeev Kumar.
“The mountains have been subjected to blasting over the last 10 years, causing considerable disturbance. Furthermore, a large amount of tunnelling and construction waste has been dumped into the Chenab river, leading NGT to penalise a construction company for this offence. In many places, the water flow of the Chenab river has been obstructed, impacting the mountains. This disruption to the river’s natural course could also contribute to land subsidence,” Kumar said.
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