A comprehensive study on landslides in Arunachal Pradesh has reignited calls for the formulation and enforcement of mountain-specific building bylaws, highlighting the state’s acute vulnerability to slope instability amid rapid infrastructure development and climate-induced hazards. The research, conducted by experts from the Arunachal Pradesh State Remote Sensing Application Centre (ARSAC) and other institutions, underscores how conventional construction norms—designed primarily for plains—are ill-suited for the fragile Himalayan geology, leading to exacerbated risks in urbanising hill towns.
The study analysed landslide susceptibility across districts, mapping high-risk zones and correlating incidents with factors like deforestation, unscientific road cutting, and unregulated building practices. Key findings reveal that over 70% of Arunachal’s terrain is prone to landslides, with recurrent disasters causing loss of lives, property, and critical connectivity—particularly during monsoons.
Expert Insights and Urgent Recommendations
Lead researchers emphasised the need for tailored regulations that account for Arunachal’s steep slopes, seismic activity, and heavy rainfall patterns. “Standard building codes from the plains cannot be blindly applied here. We require bylaws that mandate slope stability assessments, restricted cutting of hills, rainwater harvesting to reduce soil saturation, and eco-friendly construction materials,” stated one of the study’s coordinators.
The report points to alarming trends:
- Unplanned urban expansion in districts like Papum Pare, Lower Subansiri, and East Siang has amplified landslide triggers.
- Poorly engineered roads and buildings on vulnerable slopes have turned minor rains into major disasters.
- Climate change is intensifying rainfall events, further destabilising already fragile ecosystems.
Civil society groups and urban planners have seized on the study to renew longstanding demands for a dedicated Arunachal Pradesh Mountain Building Code, similar to specialised norms in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Activists argue that without enforceable standards—encompassing geotechnical surveys, setback limits from slopes, and mandatory retaining structures—development will continue to invite catastrophe.
Official and Political Response
The state government has acknowledged the study’s significance, with the Urban Development and Housing Department indicating plans to review existing bylaws. Sources suggest consultations with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to adapt hill-specific guidelines for Arunachal.
Opposition leaders and environmental NGOs have criticised delays in implementation, pointing to recent landslides in Itanagar and along highways as wake-up calls. “This study is a validation of what communities have been saying for years. The government must act swiftly to institutionalise mountain-appropriate standards, or we risk irreversible damage,” remarked a prominent activist.
Broader Implications for Himalayan States
Arunachal’s push aligns with growing national discourse on sustainable development in the Eastern Himalayas, where similar vulnerabilities plague neighbouring states. Experts advocate for integrating traditional indigenous knowledge—such as elevated bamboo structures and terraced farming—with modern engineering to create resilient habitats.
As the state accelerates projects under the Vibrant Villages Programme and Trans-Arunachal Highway, the landslide study serves as a critical reminder: progress in the hills demands harmony with nature, not conquest over it. With winter setting in and construction activities ongoing, stakeholders hope the report catalyses policy reforms before the next monsoon unleashes its fury.
(Source: India Today NE)
