Media Release
Udupi, Dec 6: The two-day BIS national seminar on "Landslides and Land Subsidence in Hilly Areas: Causes, Prevention, Mitigation, and Restoration" was inaugurated at the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal.
The seminar, organised in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM), Bengaluru, aims to address critical challenges related to landslides and land subsidence in hilly terrains.
The inaugural session commenced at 10:30 am, witnessing the participation of approximately 85 attendees, including engineers from government organizations, academicians, researchers, and students.
The event began with an invocation by Prof Chaithra M, assistant professor - senior scale, Department of Civil Engineering, MIT Manipal, followed by a welcome address by Praveen Sai from BIS.
Dr K Balakrishna, professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MIT Manipal, introduced Cdr (Dr) Anil Rana, director of MIT Manipal, who presided over the ceremony. Dr. Rana emphasised the institution's dedication to fostering sustainable environmental practices.
Chief guest Prof R Anbalagan, chairman, CED-56, IIT Roorkee, delivered a keynote address titled “Landslide Hazards of India: An Overview.” He highlighted the urgent need for preventive measures and collaboration to mitigate the effects of landslides and land subsidence across India.
The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Dr Somashekara Bhat, joint director, MIT Manipal, associate directors; heads of departments; and students. Dr Devendra Singh Rawat, Scientist-III from NIRM Bengaluru, also participated, expressing NIRM's support for the seminar.
Key seminar Highlights
The seminar features expert presentations on a wide range of topics, including:
Day 1
• Overview of BIS and Indian Standards for hill area development.
• Causes of landslides in the Western Ghats region.
• Techniques for site investigation and slope stabilization.
Day 2
• Application of BIS codes in landslide hazard mapping.
• Case studies on landslide protection in hilly terrains.
• Predicting landslides using AI/ML approaches.
• A field visit to provide practical insights into landslide management, coordinated by Dr K Balakrishna and his team.
The seminar provides a collaborative platform for academia, industry experts, and policymakers to share knowledge and explore sustainable solutions to minimize the impact of landslides and land subsidence in hilly areas.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr S N Bhat, associate director (Faculty Development & Welfare), who acknowledged the efforts of all participants and contributors. Dr Thivaharan V, additional professor, Department of Biotechnology, MIT Manipal, served as the master of ceremony.