My attention has been drawn to the articles ‘Landslide Hazard Zonation mapping for Nagaland’ (The Morung Express, 13th August 2011, Front page) and ‘Landslide mappings in 6 districts of Nagaland’ (Nagaland Post, 13th August 2011, Front page) wherein the Directorate of Geology & Mining (DGM), Nagaland, at the 31st State Geological Programme Board on 12th August 2011, has claimed credit for landslide hazard zonation (LHZ) mapping using Remote Sensing & GIS along NH 29 and downplayed earlier important research works.
While appreciating the programs taken up by the DGM, certain issues need to be noted and rectified. Though mention was made of the Geology Department of the Nagaland University (NU), it was very vague and does not reflect the detailed investigations carried out by geologists of the NU.
As no major research work on landslides in Nagaland, particularly LHZ mapping, was undertaken by any agency, the need for such studies was acutely felt, considering the potential hazard this phenomenon posed on society. Thus, a project proposal was put up to the Space Applications Center (SAC), Ahmedabad, and a project granted by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Department of Space, GoI, Bangalore, vide no. 10/4/415, dated 03.09.2002 for LHZ mapping of Kohima town and NH 39 (now 29), between Chumukedima and Kohima using Remote Sensing & GIS. Another proposal was simultaneously put up to the Department of Science & Technology (DST), GoI, New Delhi, for geotechnical investigations of land instability along NH 39, between Kohima and Senapati and granted vide no. DST/Seismo/Jaivigyan/landslide/03/2002 dated 01.10.02. This second project also was essentially Remote Sensing & GIS based with inputs from geotechnical studies.
Credit should be given where due and undue claims not made. LHZ mapping using Remote Sensing & GIS actually began in 1997 in the NU and three PhD’s awarded, two in 2005 and one in 2009. The ISRO Project Report was submitted in 2006 and, after review by experts, the SAC recommended dissemination of data to the concerned User Agencies. Thus, a presentation was made on 3rd August 2007 on the LHZ maps of the NH 29 and Kohima town wherein all concerned departments of the Govt. of Nagaland and the Border Roads Organization were invited. Of the very few Nagaland Govt. officials who attended the presentation, a senior officer of the DGM was one of the participants. Hence, to state that the DGM work is the first to apply Remote Sensing & GIS in landslide studies along this highway and Kohima town (The Morung Express, 13th August 2011, Front page, 1st column, last para to 2nd column) is factually incorrect.
Though unrelated to the present news item of the DGM, it may be mentioned that a methodology generated earlier by the NU was illegally used in a business venture. However, legal redressal was not sought for plagiarism that time with the hope that such wanton acts will not be repeated in future.
It would be appropriate if the DGM is appointed the nodal agency for landslides in Nagaland. The DGM could collect data generated by other agencies including the GSI and NU for compilation and presentation to the concerned implementing agencies for the benefit of society.
Landslide data being generated by the NU is available free of cost to the government or any other agency involved in remedial/mitigation measures after necessary formalities such as award of degree, etc. But proper acknowledgement is necessary as violation of intellectual property rights, in any form, is an offence.
Apart from the aforementioned activities the department is also engaged in the following areas using Remote Sensing & GIS, the data of which will be disseminated to all agencies as and when degrees are awarded and necessary clearance obtained.
1. A PhD program on LHZ mapping of Mokokchung town has been completed and result awaited.
2. Urban Sprawl studies of Mokokchung town and its surroundings are being undertaken by a Post Doctoral Fellow (UGC program) of the Geology Department, NU.
3. Surface instability studies and LHZ mapping of NH 2 (formerly 61), from Kohima town to Zhadima junction, also sanctioned by the DST, New Delhi has been successfully completed and a PhD is being compiled for submission.
4. A PhD program on surface instability studies along the NH 29 between Kohima and Mao, including LHZ mapping is underway.
While appreciating the programs taken up by the DGM, certain issues need to be noted and rectified. Though mention was made of the Geology Department of the Nagaland University (NU), it was very vague and does not reflect the detailed investigations carried out by geologists of the NU.
As no major research work on landslides in Nagaland, particularly LHZ mapping, was undertaken by any agency, the need for such studies was acutely felt, considering the potential hazard this phenomenon posed on society. Thus, a project proposal was put up to the Space Applications Center (SAC), Ahmedabad, and a project granted by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Department of Space, GoI, Bangalore, vide no. 10/4/415, dated 03.09.2002 for LHZ mapping of Kohima town and NH 39 (now 29), between Chumukedima and Kohima using Remote Sensing & GIS. Another proposal was simultaneously put up to the Department of Science & Technology (DST), GoI, New Delhi, for geotechnical investigations of land instability along NH 39, between Kohima and Senapati and granted vide no. DST/Seismo/Jaivigyan/landslide/03/2002 dated 01.10.02. This second project also was essentially Remote Sensing & GIS based with inputs from geotechnical studies.
Credit should be given where due and undue claims not made. LHZ mapping using Remote Sensing & GIS actually began in 1997 in the NU and three PhD’s awarded, two in 2005 and one in 2009. The ISRO Project Report was submitted in 2006 and, after review by experts, the SAC recommended dissemination of data to the concerned User Agencies. Thus, a presentation was made on 3rd August 2007 on the LHZ maps of the NH 29 and Kohima town wherein all concerned departments of the Govt. of Nagaland and the Border Roads Organization were invited. Of the very few Nagaland Govt. officials who attended the presentation, a senior officer of the DGM was one of the participants. Hence, to state that the DGM work is the first to apply Remote Sensing & GIS in landslide studies along this highway and Kohima town (The Morung Express, 13th August 2011, Front page, 1st column, last para to 2nd column) is factually incorrect.
Though unrelated to the present news item of the DGM, it may be mentioned that a methodology generated earlier by the NU was illegally used in a business venture. However, legal redressal was not sought for plagiarism that time with the hope that such wanton acts will not be repeated in future.
It would be appropriate if the DGM is appointed the nodal agency for landslides in Nagaland. The DGM could collect data generated by other agencies including the GSI and NU for compilation and presentation to the concerned implementing agencies for the benefit of society.
Landslide data being generated by the NU is available free of cost to the government or any other agency involved in remedial/mitigation measures after necessary formalities such as award of degree, etc. But proper acknowledgement is necessary as violation of intellectual property rights, in any form, is an offence.
Apart from the aforementioned activities the department is also engaged in the following areas using Remote Sensing & GIS, the data of which will be disseminated to all agencies as and when degrees are awarded and necessary clearance obtained.
1. A PhD program on LHZ mapping of Mokokchung town has been completed and result awaited.
2. Urban Sprawl studies of Mokokchung town and its surroundings are being undertaken by a Post Doctoral Fellow (UGC program) of the Geology Department, NU.
3. Surface instability studies and LHZ mapping of NH 2 (formerly 61), from Kohima town to Zhadima junction, also sanctioned by the DST, New Delhi has been successfully completed and a PhD is being compiled for submission.
4. A PhD program on surface instability studies along the NH 29 between Kohima and Mao, including LHZ mapping is underway.
(G.T. THONG)
Professor of Geology
Nagaland University
Kohima Campus, Meriema
