Project Summary:
Landslides pose a serious risk to the mountain population in terms of economic stability and safety. This project, through the DFID Knowledge and Research (KaR) programme, was the first attempt to introduce new methodologies in Landslide Risk Assessment (LRA) within the rural access sectors in Nepal and Bhutan. The integration of the latest geospatial analysis with conventional bio-engineering in the initiative created a roadmap of resilient infrastructure in the high-risk corridors.
Background: The Vulnerability of Rural Access
Landslides are a perpetual threat in the developing mountainous zones of the Himalayas. This danger is augmented by migration processes that promote ad-hoc growth along the roadside paths. These rural access corridors are confronted by a twofold challenge, that is, engineering instability and socio-economic vulnerability. Prior to this research, there was no adequate assessment of the interface between these two risks, and communities and the infrastructure remained vulnerable.
Objectives: Defining a New Standard for Risk Assessment
In partnership with the University of Durham (UK) and Scott Wilson, this three-year research project set out to:
- Define precise landslide hazard and risk assessment methods for remote regions.
- Evaluate the socio-economic impact of landslides on densely populated roadside settlements.
- Develop actionable slope stabilization measures tailored to the local environment.
What We Did: Technical Excellence & Field Research
As the local partner, SW Nepal provided the professional and support staff necessary to execute complex field operations. The project utilized a multi-disciplinary toolkit to ensure comprehensive data collection:
- Geotechnical & Geological Mapping: Conducting detailed slope stability assessments and inventory preparations across selected sites in Nepal.
- Geospatial Analysis: Leveraging Satellite Remote Sensing, Aerial Photograph Interpretation (API), and GIS to visualize terrain hazards.
- Engineering Solutions: Implementing slope stabilization techniques, including bio-engineering, a sustainable method using local vegetation to reinforce soil.
Capacity Building: Empowering Local Stakeholders
A core pillar of the project was the transfer of knowledge. We ensured that the research didn’t just stay in reports but reached the people managing the land.
- Professional Training: Specialized workshops for planners, engineers, and geologists from the public and private sectors in both Nepal and Bhutan.
- Community Engagement: Field-based workshops and interviews with farmers and local leaders to discuss land-use practices and slope protection, directly reducing future exposure to risks.
Learning & Long-Term Impact
The project successfully bridged the gap between high-level national planning and grassroots community action.
- Integrated Risk Management: By discussing risk perception at all levels, from national ministries to individual farmers, the project fostered a culture of safety.
- Improved Infrastructure Planning: The Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (Nepal) and the Department of Roads (Bhutan) now have access to refined hazard assessment techniques to guide future road construction.
- Global Knowledge: As part of DFID’s broader research programme, the findings from Nepal and Bhutan contribute to a global understanding of mountain logistics and disaster resilience.
Project Partners
- Funding: Department for International Development (DFID), UK
- Lead Agency: Scott Wilson, UK (in association with University of Durham)
- Local Implementation: SW Nepal
- Government Partners: * DoLIDAR (Nepal), Department of Roads (Bhutan)