A comprehensive international study, conducted by a diverse team of experts, advocates for the official designation of the 2024 Wayanad landslide site as a significant geo-heritage location. This proposal aims to transform the tragic area, where at least 266 lives were lost and three villages were ruined, into a beacon for advanced scientific research, improved disaster readiness, and the development of responsible, sustainable tourism.
Published in the prestigious academic journal Geoheritage, the study outlines a detailed strategy to convert this former disaster zone into an active, ‘living laboratory.’ This unique space would serve both geoscience researchers and the general public, offering unparalleled opportunities for learning and discovery.
Leading researchers from institutions including the University of Kerala, ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre, IISER Mohali, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, the University of Michigan, Michigan Technological University, and the British Geological Survey, have collectively emphasized the immense scientific and educational value present in this unique geological landscape.
These devastating landslides, set in motion by an unprecedented 572.8 mm of rainfall within just 48 hours, began as a rockslide before evolving into an immense debris flow. This colossal movement traveled an astonishing 8 kilometers, wreaking widespread havoc across the villages of Punchirimattom, Mundakkai, and Chooralmala. The catastrophe profoundly reshaped the Punnapuzha river’s path and obliterated more than 1,500 structures, marking it as one of India’s most severe natural disasters in recent memory.
The visionary proposal outlines a dual-segment development. The ‘field segment’ would feature secure walkways and guided trails, allowing visitors and researchers to safely explore landslide scars, observe vanished waterfalls, and study the hydrological shifts that occurred after the disaster. Concurrently, a ‘museum segment’ in Chooralmala would house insightful exhibits, a state-of-the-art meteorological station, dedicated research facilities, and a poignant memorial honoring those who lost their lives.
To bolster safety and prediction capabilities, the study strongly advises the installation of advanced real-time monitoring equipment. This includes tiltmeters, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors, piezometers, soil moisture detectors, and automated weather stations, all designed to significantly enhance early warning systems for future landslides.
The researchers emphasize that gaining recognition as a geo-heritage site would not only align with UNESCO’s global efforts to conserve dynamic geological formations (geomorphosites) but also crucially empower local communities. This designation promises new livelihood opportunities through the growth of geo-tourism, fostering both conservation and economic upliftment.
Navigating the Hurdles Ahead
Despite the immense potential, the study candidly addresses the significant challenges inherent in establishing the landslide site as a geo-heritage area. Rapid vegetation growth, for instance, presents a constant battle against the preservation of crucial geological features. Furthermore, the region’s inherent susceptibility to future landslides poses ongoing risks to any developed geo-heritage infrastructure. Nevertheless, the paper suggests that these obstacles are not insurmountable and can be effectively mitigated through meticulous site selection, strategic hazard zoning, and the implementation of resilient, robust construction techniques.