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Causes and extent of environmental impacts of landslide hazard in the Himalayan region: a case study of Murree, Pakistan

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Abstract

Pakistan is located at the cross-roads of plate boundaries, experiencing multiple hazards of earthquake, flood, drought, water-logging, salinization and recurrent landslides. This paper examines the causes and environmental impacts of frequently occurring landslide hazards in the Murree area of Pakistan’s Himalayan region. These are wide ranging in nature and in terms of the damage that result. The area under research was divided into eight blocks and randomly data collected. It was observed that landslides mostly occur along the road network and disturbed slopes. Immature geology, a wide variation in climate and degradation of the natural resource-base were found to be some of the causal factors responsible for the landslide hazards. During the past three decades, rapid expansion of urban zones contributed to the changing vulnerability of the area. The analysis revealed that a large majority of the households (75%) in the area have been directly or indirectly affected by landslide hazards. Damages to already scarce agricultural land, infrastructure and other properties are each year a regular and escalating phenomenon. Landslide size, frequency and consequent costs of damage have increased considerably.

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Notes

  1. 58 Pak Rupees = 1US $, Price level, 2004.

  2. One Marla = 272 sq. feet.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the work of Mr. Ghani-ur Rahman, Mphil student, Department of Geography, University of Peshawar for his help in data coding and preparing some figures. Thanks are also due to Mr. Shah Nawaz Khan, Research Associate for assisting in typing and formatting of this paper. We would also like to thank two anonymous reviewers for their careful and detailed comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

    Atta-ur-Rahman & Fareen Qazi

  2. Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

    Amir Nawaz Khan

  3. Disaster and Development Centre (DDC), Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

    Andrew E. Collins

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  1. Atta-ur-Rahman
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  2. Amir Nawaz Khan
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  3. Andrew E. Collins
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  4. Fareen Qazi
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Correspondence to Atta-ur-Rahman.

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Atta-ur-Rahman, Khan, A.N., Collins, A.E. et al. Causes and extent of environmental impacts of landslide hazard in the Himalayan region: a case study of Murree, Pakistan. Nat Hazards 57, 413–434 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-010-9621-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-010-9621-7

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