Natural Hazards and Degradation of Landforms in Eastern Ramganga Basin of Kumaun Himalaya

Abstract

Natural hazards are extreme weather and climate events that occur naturally in all parts of the world. Some regions are more vulnerable to certain hazards than others. Hazards become disasters when there is loss of people’s lives and properties. Typically, a natural hazard can be defined as the probability of occurrence within a specified period of time and within a given area of potentially damaging phenomenon. In the present study an environmentally sensitive area suffering from natural hazards and degradation of landforms is selected. A detailed field investigation was conducted in the study area to find out the impact of processes causing environmental degradation. In the recent past these natural processes are rapidly increasing due to increasing phase of human activities; causing damage to life and property in the Eastern Ramganga basin specifically and the Himalayan region in general. In the study area Kwiti, La, Jhekala, Nachani, Tejam, Dor, Bansbagad, Ruisapata, Simtola and many more villages were severally affected due to the natural hazards in the past few years. Eastern Ramganga catchment is highly vulnerable to the risk of several kinds of natural hazards. Disasters in the region cause great loss to life and property and pose serious threat to the process of development which has impact on economic and social wellbeing of the people living here. Thus, the impacts of natural hazards caused by different geomorphic processes including extreme events are multidimensional affecting environmental, social and economic systems.