Abstract

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The slopes of Himalayan hills are generally made up of complex geo-structural and topographic set up. A slight imbalance in its natural environment result in triggering various type of problems among which variety of mass movements such as landslides, rock fall and debris flow are most common and hazardous. These phenomena cause loss of life, loss of property including tremendous hardships to the people living in the urban as well as rural system. The highway and other road network is one of the most frequently involved in damaging due to such disastrous events. Apart from damage to transportation and communication system these processes, year after year, cause devastating damages to human settlements. Most of the landslide occurrences, especially those that have caused extensive damage to life and property, are recorded along the highways particularly inhabited zones. The causes of mass movements, besides natural factors, are more consequential to the type and pattern of anthropogenic influence on their generation.

The developmental activities are undoubtedly required to be performed quickly in newly born Himalayan state of Uttaranchal and therefore it is prerequisite to have the knowledge of the past misguided developmental planning and its ill affects on the society. This article will give an example for appropriate planning and developmental strategy using GIS tool for identifying most suitable areas for various infrastructure developments around Rishikesh-Sivapuri in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttaranchal.

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