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Illegal
constructions making Darjeeling vulnerable to landslides by
Taruk Sarkar Darjeeling:
The massive construction of buildings, a majority of them illegal, has led
to degradation of soil texture in the Darjeeling Hills area of West Bengal and
making the place vulnerable to landslides. A series of landslides hit Darjeeling
and its surrounding areas in May, triggered by overnight torrents. Local builders,
however, have ignored the threat of landslides or public concern. Geologists say
that the construction of unauthorised buildings coupled with improper drainage
systems has led to recent landslides. "For the Since last 100 years, Darjeeling
is witnessing an rapid increase in population. This migration of population has
led to an increase in unauthorised constructions. This coupled with the lack of
a proper drainage system in the Darjeeling Hills culminated in the recent catastrophic
landslides," said Subhir Sarkar, a geologist. When asked about the problem, the
State Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Ashok Narayan Bhattacharya,
said the state Government has asked the local civic body to take active measures
against it. "We would be organising a seminar in Kalimpong to ascertain the crisis,
and whatever the meteorologists say is very much justified and the municipality
must look into the matter," said Bhattacharya. Situated at a height of 2,134 meters,
Darjeeling is also famous for its 125-year-old railway, a UNESCO world heritage
site where the century old miniature steam engine still chugs. During the late
50s of the 19th century, Darjeeling was developed as a hill station for Britishers,
who wanted to escape the heat of the plains. As time passed, Darjeeling emerged
as a tourists destination. -July
9, 2009 Go
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