Q17.Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats.

Landslides are a major geohazard in India. The Himalayan region and Western Ghats, both prone, exhibit distinct causal factors due to their unique geology and climate.

Himalayan Region

• Tectonically active, young fold mountains with steep, unstable slopes and high seismic activity.
• Glacial melt, intense monsoon rainfall, and anthropogenic factors like road building and hydropower projects.

Western Ghats

• Ancient block mountains with deeply weathered lateritic soil, prone to saturation and erosion.
• Extremely heavy monsoon rainfall, deforestation, and unscientific agriculture on steep escarpments.
• Anthropogenic factors like mining and quarrying exacerbate instability.

Key Differentiating Factors

• Himalayas: Tectonically active, young mountains, seismic activity, glacial melt.
• Western Ghats: Ancient, weathered terrain, lateritic soil, rainfall-induced.
• Anthropogenic factors also differ: roads/hydropower in Himalayas vs. mining/agriculture in Western Ghats.

Thus, distinct geological evolution, climatic patterns, and human interventions shape the differing landslide mechanisms in each region.