Archive · 26 Jun 2025
Himalayas: Addressing Landslides with the 3M+3R Strategy
Imagine the Himalayas as a place where the ground sometimes decides to move, causing landslides.
Heavy rain and construction can make this happen.
Recently, there was a bad landslide in Sikkim.
To fix this, experts use a plan called '3M + 3R.'
This means they map the land, watch for movement, and try to prevent slides by planting trees and building drains.
If a slide happens, they quickly help people and then rebuild in a smarter way, learning from what went wrong.
This helps protect people and the beautiful mountains.
Landslides in the Himalayas are a recurring issue, exacerbated by monsoons, climate change, and human activities.
The recent Chatten landslide in North Sikkim resulted in fatalities and infrastructure damage.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) advocates for a '3M + 3R' approach for landslide management.
The 3M + 3R framework includes Mapping, Monitoring, Mitigation, Risk assessment, Response, and Recovery.
NDMA is implementing the National Landslide Risk Management Programme (NLRMP) to build resilience in vulnerable regions.
- Who
- The article discusses the NDMA, geological surveys, and the communities affected by landslides.
- What
- Landslides in the Himalayas and the NDMA's approach to manage them.
- When
- Recent incidents like the Chatten landslide in June 2025, and the 2024 and 2023 incidents.
- Where
- The Himalayas, including Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Kerala.
- Why
- Landslides are triggered by natural factors like heavy rain and also by human activities like construction.
- Location of Recent Landslide
- Chatten, North Sikkim
- Casualties in Chatten
- Three army personnel killed
- Key Trigger Factors
- Heavy rainfall, unstable terrain, human activities
- NDMA Framework
- 3M + 3R (Mapping, Monitoring, Mitigation, Risk assessment, Response, Recovery)
- NDMA Program Name
- National Landslide Risk Management Programme (NLRMP)
- NDMA Program Budget
- ₹1,000 crore