A laboratory for landslide research.

The proposed geoheritage zone lies within the 'no go' areas of Meppadi panchayat, stretching 50-100 km along the Punnapuzha river in Wayanad district. Though unsuitable for habitation, the landscape - strewn with buried homes, crushed vehicles and massive dislodged boulders - offers invaluable clues to understand landslide dynamics.

The landslide area needs to be retained as it is. Future technologies may help unravel the unknown factors behind the slide.

The vision

Planned features

  

   * Guided field exploration zones

   * A memorial for victims

   * Educational museum at Chooralmala

   * Real-time geohazard monitoring system

Community engagement

   * Training local residents as guides

   * Involvement of Kudumbashree and Aapda Mitra volunteers

   

Opportunities

   * Disaster education and preparedness

   * Sustainable tourism

   * Scientific research

Challenges

   * Ongoing landslide risk

   * Climate change impacts

   * Vegetation overgrowth and biodiversity loss

Courtesy. Excerpted from Unnikrishnan S @ Tvpm in the NIE

My take

A good thing to happen!

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 4, recited my prayers, woke up Lekha at 5 so that she could get ready.

Lit up the puja room lamp, made our cuppa and switched on the hymns on the home theatre at 6.

Left for Kochi at a quarter to 7, moved smoothly through Thrissur town but was stuck in a bad traffic snarl - for 11/2 hours at Muringoor. Modified breakfast of a vada and a cup of tea at Pulinchodu Metro Station and reached Satish Bhat's clinic at 11.

Lineesh of Titan came and handed over Lekha's watch at the clinic. We left the clinic at 12, had lunch at Brindavan and headed for home. Reached at 4 PM.

Kannan washed down the Chevy.

A quiet evening.