An international study, which includes a multidisciplinary team of scientists, recommended that instead of 2024 Wayanad, which claimed at least 266 lives and destroy three villages, be declared as the location of Geo-Heritage to support scientific research, disaster readiness and sustainable tourism.
A study published in the reviewed Academic Journal of GeoHeritage proposes a comprehensive framework for the conversion of the disaster zone into a “live laboratory” for geoscience and public education.
Scientists from the University of Keral, ISRO National Remote Sensorship Center, Indian Institute of Natural Science and Research (Iiser) Mohali, CSIR-Ccentral Building Research Institute, Kerala State for Disaster Management, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, University of Michigan, Michigan Technological University and British Geological survey, region.
Landslides, lowered with record rainfall of 572.8 mm in 48 hours, began as a rocky calm and turned into a massive flow of debris, which traveled 8 km to cause extensive destruction into punchirimattom, Mundakkai and Chooralmalla villages. The disaster, which changed the course of the PunnaPuzha River and destroyed over 1,500 buildings, is described as one of the most serious in the recent history of India.
The proposal includes the development of two segments-a “field segment” with safe sidewalks and guided trails to study scars of landslides, disappeared waterfalls and hydrological changes after the disaster; and the “museum segment” in Chooralmala with exhibits, a meteorological station, research facilities and a memorial to the victims of disasters.
The study also recommends installing real -time monitoring devices, including Tiltmeters, global navigation satellite sensors (GNSS), piezometers, soil moisture detectors and automated weather stations to improve premature landlord warning systems.
The authors emphasize that recognition as a Geo-Heritage site would be in line with UNESCO initiatives to preserve dynamic geomorphosity, and would also seize local communities through a living associated with geo-turism.
The challenges are abound
At the same time, the study also recognizes various challenges in determining the landslide site as a geo-heitage. For one, rapidly growing vegetation in the region, it complicates the preservation of geological elements of the place. Another obstacle is the continuing vulnerability of the region against landslides that could pose the risks for any geohreal infrastructure. However, this can be solved by careful selection on the spot, dangerous zonation and durable construction, says paper.
Published – September 2025 17:22 IS IS
