THE HIMALAYAN ECOLOGICAL AND CONSERVATION RESEAERCH FOUNDATION(HECRF)J&K

Environmental Management Plan for Dul Dam Area in District Kishtwar of J&K State.
Division of Natural Resources HECRF, J&K

2011

51/5 SWARN VIHAR

PO MUTHI JAMMU

181205

Environmental Management Plan for Dul Dam Area in District Kishtwar of J&K State.

Introduction General observations and cited works reveal that western Himalayas are more prone to land sliding because of general geological set of the area, land use changes and ever increasing anthropogenic activities which disturb the fragile ecology of this mountain system. Preliminary investigation was carried out around Dul Dam area in District Kishtwar in order to assess the primary causes and extent of the land sliding area and to suggest remedial measures and landscaping and land development around Dul Dam area. The site is located between N 3302146 and E 7504856 at an elevation 4285ft on Kishtwar-Paddar Road at a distance of about 20KM from Kishtwar on the left bank of Chenab river. As a result of this slide there is constant sinking of approach road to the Dam site and proving danger for the residential quarters of the CISF Located there. Preliminary observations reveal that the area started sinking only after water level was increased due to damming of the river Chenab for diversion into the HRT leading to Dul Hasti power station. The slide gets accelerated mainly during drawdown of the reservoir and during monsoon season due to oversaturation of the groundmass. Preliminary observations reveal that the slide is quite active over a large area as the existing slide lies over the palaeoslide. The following photograph shows the extent of the paleoslip.

Physiography of the Site. The location of the site geographically lies between N 3302146 and E7504856 at an elevation 1306masl on Kishtwar-Paddar Road at a distance of about 20KM from Kishtwar on the left bank of Chenab river, near the village Dul. The village Dul which falls under block Nagseni is moderately populated. As revealed from preliminary investigation the number of households has increased over the past decade. The increase in households has ultimately put pressure on the available land resources which resulted into habitat fragmentation. This trend in land use change over the past decade has significantly contributed to accelerate the driving forces of land sliding.

The whole of the Dul area is gently sloping with an average slope angle 170 and presents and overall undulating look as compared to the steep slope on opposite side of the area. The soil of the area is coarse textured and highly porous and depth of the soil horizon on an average is 3feet. Vegetation Structure Preliminary observation of the investigation site reveal that the area is sparsely vegetated as most of the area has been cleared for agriculture purpose. The major representatives of the flora are Quercus incana, Quercus leucotricoflora, Alnus nitidia, Punica granatum, Plea cuspidate, Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana, Pistasia integrima, Ficus palmate, Pyrus pashia, Robinia species, etc. The cultivable tree species are apple, walnut, apricot, plums and pear etc. Among medicinal plants Pleactranthus rugosus is dominating species. Other medicinal plants include Plantago lanceolata, Traxacum officinalis, Viola serpens, Rumex hastatus, Rosa brunonii, Clematis montana, Urtica dioca. The region is also having one threatened plant species called as Berberis lycium. The major cultivable crop is Zea mays, Brassica compestris, Oryza sativa. People make extensive use of chemical fertilizers which is somehow affecting the nature of the soil of the area. Quercus is hardy plant and is mostly suitable in well drained soils. The declining cover of this tree species is an indication towards extensive soil erosion. Soil Types of the investigation site The soils of the area are shallow coarse grained alluvial containing gravels. The depth of the soil is measured at an average of 3f. These soils are highly porous and become easily saturated during monsoon season. Oversaturated soils easily slip away due to high gradient of the slope.

Geology and Geomorphology of the investigation site Geologically speaking the area under investigation forms a part of the Kishtwar window. Kishtwar window lies tectonically over main central thrust (MCT) which demarcates the line between lesser Himalayas and middle Himalayas. MCT has placed high Himalayan crystalline (HHC) over the poorly metamorphosed Precambrian rocks of lesser Himalayas. The lesser Himalayas become visible at places where the HHC rock mass has been eroded or thrusted away and the structure is called window. Kishtwar window is tectonically active as several active fault planes, shear zones; confined aquifers with high head loads have been identified. The main rocks of the area are quartzites, phyllites and schists. Phyllites and schists are easily erodible rocks. General geomorphologic feature of the area is graben type structure formed by the slipping of landmass over a paleoslip as depicted below. Slipping mass Scarp of the paleoslip Minor Scarp

The following map represents the structural features of the Himalayas.

Geohydrology of the investigation site Active aquifers with high water loads have been detected in the area which speaks about porous nature of the soil and rock mass and also the cause of slipping of oversaturated soil mass in the area. Demarcation and study of the landslide area During the preliminary investigation the landslide area was demarcated, active slips were noted, slope was measured. The following are the main features of the landslide. Main Features of the landslide at RD 1400-1600 Slide is more active during drawdown of the reservoir. Slide is of rotational type. Slide is more active over slipping planes. Slipping plane lies at depth Slope N400 E Soil Alluvial type and highly porous Main Features of landslide below Shiv Mandir Active aquifer with high head load Saturated soil Steep Sliding plane at shallow depth

Major Causes of the Landslide

1) As noted from the preliminary observations, the slide becomes active during drawdown of the reservoir. This also evident from satellite images taken before the damming of Chenab river. 2) Presence of paleoslip and active faults are already existing driving forces of the landslide. 3) Porous alluvial soil and bedrock result into slope failure. 4) Changing land use pattern are also exaggerating the driving forces of landslide. 5) Presence of active aquifers with high head load is responsible for slope failure below Shiv Mandir.

Recommendations

A For area between RD 1400-1600KM and below shiv mandir. This sliding area is represented by steep slope approx. 350 and deep seated slip plane. The sliding is characterized by tensional cracks ,aquifers and active slips.

Tensional Cracks

Aquifer having high head load of water

Active Slip

Recommendations A. Removal of head load. Owing to the steep slope, oversaturated soil and deep seated slip plane of the landslide, any additional load shall act as a triggering force for new slope failures. Therefore, in practice such load either in the form of concrete or boulder should be immediate removed. In this case it is suggested that the following structures constructed so far should be removed. 1. Concrete Grids as shown below

2. Breast Wall Below Shiv Mandir

This wall should be removed

This wall should be removed

B. Draining away overflowing aquifers and subsurface drainage Owing to steep slope and porous soil and bedrock there seems to be existing an irregular network of underground drainage system which is also proving detrimental on the regular slope failures encountered in the area as the subsurface water increases the pore water pressure in subsoil rock material and weakens the fractures, bedding/foliation planes, thereby reducing the stability of slope mass. The removal of the subsurface water tends to being more stable condition by way of decrease in seepage forces, increase in shear strength, and reduction in pore pressure. A system of closed drainage by installing horizontal drains is recommended. Such a system is recommended at the following sites: 1. Below shiv mandir 2. Below CISF Quarters

i)

Horizontal Drains Horizontal drains are constructed of perforated PVC pipes, 50mm diameter. These pipes shall be installed at a depth of 3.5m with a tilt angle 80 with a spacing 1m. These pipes shall be drained directly into the reservoir.
Deep Trenched drain opening into the Reservoir

Perforated PVC Pipe

C.

Slope Regrading

Slope regrading is one of the mechanisms for containing the effects of landslide. Slope regrading especially at the active slips is recommended between RD1400 and 1600. Slope regrading shall be done by removing loose earth material and terracing. The slope regrading treatment is recommended at the following sites: 1. Near the first Zig at RD 1400 2. At RD 1600 (Sinking Road) The methods involved in the slope reduction are: a) Removal of the head load of debris. b) Bench Terracing c) Raising Vegetative mats for controlling soil erosion
RD1400 near Zig

RD 1600

Removal of the head load of debris, bench terracing and vegetative matting Any loose earth material has to be removed in order to reduce the head load of the landslide. The surface of the slope is bench terraced with reinforcement at the base by providing anchors to the basement bed. Anchors should penetrate the bed rock at least up to three meter depth. The leveled beds so constructed should be vegetated with the plants having deep root system. In addition vegetated geomats either prefabricated or fabricated should be installed on the front side of the bed. The recommended plants for vegetated turfing and geomating are as under: i) ii) iii) iv) Geranium wallichinum Mentha longifolia Cynodon dactylon for ground cover Artemisia maritima

v) vi) vii)

Ocimum Spp. Lemon Grass Punica grnatum

viii) Xanthoxyllum allatum ix) x) xi) Hepatics and mosses Wild grasses of all types Ferns

Area to be terraced and to be developed as landscape

D. Recommended Treatment below Shiv Mandir i) ii) Land Leveling (Bench Terraces) Gravity Concrete Wall to support Mandir Structure

iii) iv)

Reinforcement of the already existing wall at the toe. Horizontal Drainage system as already discussed

Reinforcement of this wall

Land Leveling

Concrete Gravity Wall to support Mandir Structure

2.00 m

1.75

2.5 m

2.50 m
9.5 m

3.50 m

5.00 m

25 m

5.50 m

Proposed R/W drawing below Shiv Mandir Tamrushi Dul,Kishtwar

Cross Section of the proposed Concreate Gravity R/W with tie back anchors

E. Landscape Development

Preliminary investigation at the batching plant and flushing out site reveal that the area is quite stabilized and hence can be developed as a site for aesthetic and recreational purpose. The main recommendation in this regard is as under: i) i) ii) iii) Removal of debris, steel structures from the site. Land leveling of the site for plantation Fencing of the of the site Terracing of hill slopes.

After land development, different types of the ornamental, perennial flowering and herbal plants shall be planted

Further Studies
The larger extent of the landslide has necessitated further studies in the area. To provide a permanent solution to the problem, it is necessary to conduct borehole studies in order to ascertain the depth of the sliding plane, the lateral earth pressure and pore water pressure for design of concrete structures. Further, the studies shall be carried out to know exactly the effect of land use changes on the overall area. Landslide zonation shall be done to demarcate the areas of concern and systematic treatment of the landslide zones shall be carried out. Moreover, in depth study of the landslide shall be carried out by applying electrical resistivity tomography technique.