DPPM – UNIT 2

Mountain Areas in India:

The Himalayas:

The Himalayan region is prone to various natural disasters due to its rugged terrain and fragile
ecosystem.

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): The Himalayan glaciers are melting at an alarming
rate due to climate change, leading to the formation of glacial lakes. Sudden outbursts of these
lakes can result in devastating floods downstream.

Example: The 2013 Uttarakhand floods, triggered by heavy rainfall and the bursting of glacial
lakes, resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life.

Landslides: The steep slopes of the Himalayas are highly susceptible to landslides, especially
during the monsoon season, leading to loss of lives, property, and infrastructure.

Example: Landslides are a common occurrence in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh and
Uttarakhand during heavy rains.

The Western Ghats:

The Western Ghats are vulnerable to several natural disasters, primarily due to deforestation,
land degradation, and unplanned development.

Floods and Landslides: Heavy rainfall during the monsoon season often triggers floods and
landslides in the Western Ghats region, causing extensive damage to life and property.

Example: The 2018 floods in Kerala, exacerbated by deforestation and improper land use
practices in the Western Ghats, resulted in widespread devastation and loss of lives.

Forest Fires: The dense forests of the Western Ghats are susceptible to wildfires, especially
during the dry season, leading to ecological damage and loss of biodiversity.

Example: Forest fires are a recurring problem in the Western Ghats region of Karnataka and
Maharashtra, threatening wildlife habitats and human settlements.
Coastal Areas in India:
The Western Coast:

The western coast of India faces several natural hazards, primarily associated with tropical
cyclones, coastal erosion, and tsunamis.

Tropical Cyclones: Coastal areas along the western coast, especially Gujarat and Maharashtra,
are vulnerable to tropical cyclones during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, causing
widespread damage through strong winds and heavy rainfall.

Example: Cyclone Tauktae in 2021 wreaked havoc along the western coast, causing extensive
damage to infrastructure and disrupting livelihoods.

Coastal Erosion: Rising sea levels and coastal erosion pose a significant threat to coastal
communities, leading to loss of land, displacement of populations, and damage to infrastructure.

Example: Coastal erosion is a pressing issue in the coastal districts of Kerala and Goa, where
beaches and shorelines are gradually disappearing due to wave action and tidal forces.

The Eastern Coast:

The eastern coast of India is vulnerable to cyclones, floods, and tsunamis, posing significant
risks to coastal communities and ecosystems.

Tropical Cyclones: States along the eastern coast, such as Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, are
prone to tropical cyclones during the monsoon season, resulting in widespread devastation and
loss of lives.

Example: Cyclone Phailin in 2013 caused extensive damage to coastal districts in Odisha,
highlighting the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events.

Tsunamis: The eastern coast is susceptible to tsunamis triggered by underwater earthquakes,

posing a significant risk to coastal populations and infrastructure.

Example: The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, caused by a massive earthquake off the coast of
Sumatra, led to widespread destruction along the eastern coast of India, particularly in Tamil
Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Ecological fragility
Ecological fragility refers to the susceptibility of ecosystems to disruption, degradation, or
collapse due to various natural and human-induced factors. Here are detailed notes on ecological
fragility:

Definition and Concept:

Ecological fragility refers to the vulnerability of ecosystems to disturbance or stress, which can
lead to irreversible damage or loss of ecological functions.

It encompasses the sensitivity of ecosystems to changes in environmental conditions, as well as

their resilience or ability to recover from disturbances.

Fragile ecosystems are often characterized by high biodiversity, specialized species, and delicate
ecological balances, making them particularly susceptible to external pressures.

Factors Contributing to Ecological Fragility:

Climate Change: Rapid changes in climate patterns, such as rising temperatures, altered
precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events, can destabilize ecosystems and disrupt
species interactions.

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Conversion of natural habitats for agriculture, urbanization,
infrastructure development, and resource extraction leads to habitat loss and fragmentation,
reducing the resilience of ecosystems and threatening species survival.

Pollution: Pollution from various sources, including industrial activities, agricultural runoff, and
urban waste, degrades water, soil, and air quality, compromising the health and functioning of
ecosystems.

Invasive Species: Introduction of non-native species into ecosystems can disrupt native species
interactions, outcompete native flora and fauna, and alter ecosystem dynamics, leading to loss of
biodiversity and ecological stability.

Overexploitation of Resources: Unsustainable harvesting of natural resources, such as timber

extraction, overfishing, and poaching, depletes biodiversity, disrupts ecosystem services, and
undermines the long-term sustainability of ecosystems.
Natural Disasters: Events such as wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods can cause
sudden and severe damage to ecosystems, leading to loss of habitat, fragmentation, and loss of
biodiversity.

Examples of Ecologically Fragile Ecosystems:

Coral Reefs: Coral reefs are highly diverse and productive marine ecosystems that are
vulnerable to climate change-induced phenomena such as coral bleaching, ocean acidification,
and sea-level rise, leading to widespread coral mortality and ecosystem degradation.

Tropical Rainforests: Tropical rainforests, such as those in the Amazon Basin and Southeast
Asia, are characterized by high species diversity and complex ecological interactions. However,
they are under threat from deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and climate change, leading to
loss of biodiversity and ecological resilience.

Arctic Ecosystems: Arctic ecosystems are experiencing rapid changes due to climate change,
including melting ice caps, thawing permafrost, and shifting species distributions. These changes
are disrupting ecosystem dynamics and threatening the survival of specialized Arctic species.

Mangrove Forests: Mangrove forests are critical coastal ecosystems that provide important
ecological services such as coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and habitat for numerous
species. However, they are vulnerable to habitat loss, pollution, and sea-level rise, leading to
degradation and loss of ecosystem functions.

Impacts of Ecological Fragility:

Loss of Biodiversity: Ecological fragility often results in the loss of species diversity, genetic
diversity, and ecosystem diversity, undermining the resilience and adaptive capacity of
ecosystems.

Disruption of Ecosystem Services: Fragile ecosystems provide essential services such as clean
air and water, soil fertility, pollination, and climate regulation. Disruption of these services can
have far-reaching impacts on human well-being and livelihoods.

Increased Vulnerability to Disasters: Fragile ecosystems are more susceptible to natural

disasters such as floods, landslides, and wildfires, exacerbating the impacts on human
communities and infrastructure.

Threats to Food Security: Degradation of ecosystems can undermine food security by reducing
agricultural productivity, depleting fisheries, and compromising the availability of clean water
and fertile soil.