Japanese knowhow to help Sikkim monitor and mitigate slide zones

GANGTOK, 06 Aug: Sikkim will soon see the application of some hi-tech equipment and analysis in the development of mitigation measures for chronic landslides zones throughout the state. While still in the initial stages of implementation, the Land Revenue department is getting ready, with the help of experts from Japan, to study and monitor one landslide zone with such applications as a pilot project.
The department has set up a committee for this ‘pilot project’ to study the selected slide zone of Chisopani along the national highway near Singtam. This is a multi-disciplinary committee headed by Joint Director, Land Revenue, instituted to analyse the cause of this landslide and come up with and recommend preventive measures. This 13-member multidisciplinary committee will be familiarized with the concept as well as with the instruments to monitor landslides; subsequently, the committee members will become ‘Trainers to other Trainees’ to guide the study and monitoring of landslides across Sikkim if the pilot project succeeds.
Officials inform that this is per an agreement with representatives from Japan. An Indo-Japan training cum workshop was held in 2011-12 regarding landslide and disaster management during which it was agreed by the visiting officials to provide technology, expertise as well as required instruments to study and monitor landslides in the state. This workshop was held in the aftermath of the earthquake of 18 September 2011 which had triggered numerous landslides throughout the state of Sikkim leaving many homeless apart from claiming many lives.
Officials inform that the Japanese had introduced to them certain applications and instruments by which landslides could be monitored following which preventive measures could be developed.  
The Chisopani slide zone was selected for the pilot study as it is easily accessible for officials as well as visiting Japanese experts without having to travel too much into the interiors of the state. Study of the slide has not yet commenced as the department is awaiting the instruments to arrive from Japan. The committee members also need to be first trained on the use and application of the instruments so that they can later train others on the use of the such instruments. Later, it is envisaged that the chronic landslide zones in the state will each be studied after which mitigation measures suited to that particular area can be taken up.  
Among others, the committee also has a central government representative from Disaster Management, engineers from Irrigation and Roads & Bridges departments; representatives from BRO, Mines & Geology and IT specialists as well.