Scholarlink

<p>Sustainable development in mountain ecosystems requires a comprehensive approach that integrates geomechanical parameters with socio-economic assessments. This study evaluates a section of Ladakh region, where unprecedented economic investment (surging from under ₹50 crore in the 1980s to nearly ₹6,000 crore by 2023) has expanded the regional highway network to 800&#xa0;km and tripled Leh’s urban footprint. Geomechanical analyses across 65 locations reveal a disconnect in traditional engineering zoning. While 86% of rock masses classify as “fair” to “good” under standard Rock Mass Rating and Geological Strength Index, 52% are kinematically unstable. Competent lithologies like granite and quartzite (RMR and GSI &gt; 50) remain highly susceptible to failure. Random Forest regression and Kernel density analyses identify steep hillslope angles (≥ 60°) as the dominant trigger overriding localized rock strength, with planar and wedge failures clustering at dip direction vectors (~ 280° and 125°, respectively). Aggressive infrastructure expansion and unregulated road-cutting daylight these unfavorable joint sets, increasing slope instability. This vulnerability is severely compounded by high shallow-seismicity causing topographic amplification, alongside severe hydro-meteorological shocks. Notably, the 2010 and 2015 cloudburst disasters alone caused immediate downturns in tourist influx, resulting in more than 250 fatalities and economic losses worth ~₹200 crore. Standard rock classifications alone are insufficient to guarantee safety. To safeguard capital investments and mountain communities, Ladakh must transition to integrated land-use planning frameworks, aligning future infrastructure with site-specific geomechanical realities.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Characterizing rock-mass hillslopes in Ladakh Himalaya; implications for sustainable development

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月7日

查看全文
  • Imlirenla Jamir,
  • Nithya D. Suresh,
  • K. J.P. Lakshmi,
  • Labani Ray,
  • Vipin Kumar

摘要

Sustainable development in mountain ecosystems requires a comprehensive approach that integrates geomechanical parameters with socio-economic assessments. This study evaluates a section of Ladakh region, where unprecedented economic investment (surging from under ₹50 crore in the 1980s to nearly ₹6,000 crore by 2023) has expanded the regional highway network to 800 km and tripled Leh’s urban footprint. Geomechanical analyses across 65 locations reveal a disconnect in traditional engineering zoning. While 86% of rock masses classify as “fair” to “good” under standard Rock Mass Rating and Geological Strength Index, 52% are kinematically unstable. Competent lithologies like granite and quartzite (RMR and GSI > 50) remain highly susceptible to failure. Random Forest regression and Kernel density analyses identify steep hillslope angles (≥ 60°) as the dominant trigger overriding localized rock strength, with planar and wedge failures clustering at dip direction vectors (~ 280° and 125°, respectively). Aggressive infrastructure expansion and unregulated road-cutting daylight these unfavorable joint sets, increasing slope instability. This vulnerability is severely compounded by high shallow-seismicity causing topographic amplification, alongside severe hydro-meteorological shocks. Notably, the 2010 and 2015 cloudburst disasters alone caused immediate downturns in tourist influx, resulting in more than 250 fatalities and economic losses worth ~₹200 crore. Standard rock classifications alone are insufficient to guarantee safety. To safeguard capital investments and mountain communities, Ladakh must transition to integrated land-use planning frameworks, aligning future infrastructure with site-specific geomechanical realities.