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News18
3 days ago
- Climate
- News18
Uttarkashi Cloudbursts, Mudslide: Can Vetiver Prevent Landslides In Hilly Regions? Explained
Last Updated: Uttarkashi Cloudbursts, Mudslide: Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is a perennial grass native to India, known for its extremely deep, strong, and vertical root system. Uttarkashi Cloudbursts, Mudslide: As Uttarkashi battles cloudburst and flash floods, among the solutions suggested by environmental experts is Vetiver grass. 'Vetiver grass is highly effective for soil stabilisation and erosion control, especially in the Himalayan regions where landslides and flash floods are becoming more frequent and deadly," VC Shreeram Nath, Founder and Secretary of the Rameswaram VETIVER & Environmental Foundation, told News18. According to Nath, pilot projects with Vetiver grass in Himachal Pradesh's districts such as Kullu, Mandi, and Kangra have shown a remarkable 60 per cent reduction in soil erosion, providing a proof of concept that could be replicated across other Himalayan states, including Uttarakhand. What is Vetiver grass? Can Vetiver prevent landslides? Vetiver grass prevents landslides with its dense root system, which can grow up to three-four meters deep, even in poor soils. These roots form a strong underground network that binds the soil particles together, increasing shear strength and significantly reducing the risk of slope failure. Unlike many plants whose roots spread horizontally, vetiver's roots grow straight down, helping stabilize steep slopes without competing with nearby vegetation. How does Vetiver act as natural barrier? On slopes and hillsides, especially in areas with heavy rainfall or human disturbance, surface erosion can quickly evolve into larger landslides. Vetiver acts as a natural barrier by slowing down surface water flow and trapping sediments. Its hedgerow planting technique is particularly effective: rows of Vetiver planted along contour lines create a filter that prevents water from gaining destructive speed downhill, thereby reducing surface runoff and erosion. Vetiver is low maintenance and has high resilience Vetiver is highly resilient—it can tolerate drought, heavy rainfall, poor soils, and even fire. It requires minimal maintenance once established, making it ideal for use in remote or rugged terrain. Its non-invasive nature (it does not spread aggressively or become weedy) makes it a safe ecological choice for long-term slope stabilisation. How can they be used? The actual process The process begins with selecting erosion-prone areas such as slopes, riverbanks, or farmland and preparing the land by clearing debris and marking contour lines—these are horizontal lines that follow the natural level of the land to reduce water runoff speed. Vetiver is then planted in single rows or hedgerows along these contours, with each plant spaced about 10–15 cm apart and rows placed 1 to 2 meters apart vertically depending on the slope. Once planted, the Vetiver slips are watered and cared for during the initial weeks, ideally before the rainy season for natural irrigation. As the grass grows, its deep, vertical roots — reaching up to 3-4 meters — anchor the soil firmly, while the dense above-ground foliage slows down surface water, traps sediment, and prevents topsoil from being washed away. Over time, the hedgerows become thicker and more effective, creating a sustainable, low-maintenance barrier that significantly reduces erosion and helps stabilise the land. Has Vetiver been used in landslide-prone regions? Vetiver grass is increasingly used in landslide mitigation projects in hilly and mountainous regions, including parts of India (e.g., the Western Ghats, Northeast India, and Himalayan foothills), Nepal, Southeast Asia, and Africa. It's also applied along road embankments, riverbanks, railway cuttings, and mining sites, where soil disturbance increases the risk of slope failure. Vetiver is cost-effective and environment friendly top videos View all Compared to traditional engineering solutions like concrete retaining walls or gabions, Vetiver offers a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative. It integrates well with local ecosystems and can be used in combination with mechanical structures for enhanced protection. With Agency Inputs Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Uttarkashi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 16:11 IST News explainers Uttarkashi Cloudbursts, Mudslide: Can Vetiver Prevent Landslides In Hilly Regions? Explained Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
3 days ago
- General
- News18
'Vetiver Grass Ideal For Himalayas': Environmentalist Proposes Solution To Mitigate Landslides
VC Shreeram Nath said Himachal Pradesh has already taken proactive steps in this direction, adding Uttarakhand must too. In the wake of the devastating cloudburst and mudslide in Uttarkashi on August 5, which led to widespread destruction and loss of life, environmental experts are urging state governments to adopt long-term, nature-based solutions for disaster mitigation. One such advocate is VC Shreeram Nath, Founder and Secretary of the Rameswaram VETIVER & Environmental Foundation, who spoke to CNN-News18 about the critical role Vetiver grass can play in stabilising fragile mountain ecosystems. 'Vetiver grass is highly effective for soil stabilisation and erosion control, especially in the Himalayan regions where landslides and flash floods are becoming more frequent and deadly," said Nath. He pointed out that Himachal Pradesh has already taken proactive steps in this direction. Pilot projects in districts like Kullu, Mandi, and Kangra have shown a remarkable 60 per cent reduction in soil erosion, providing a proof of concept that could be replicated across other Himalayan states, including Uttarakhand, he said. What is Vetiver Grass? Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) is known for its unique root system, which grows vertically up to 3–4 metres deep, anchoring the soil firmly and reducing the risk of landslides. Its ability to trap sediment and slow down water runoff makes it particularly useful in flash flood-prone regions. 'By acting as a natural barrier, it not only protects riverbanks and highways but also reduces the speed and volume of water during heavy rains," Nath explained. What sets Vetiver apart is its resilience. Nath explained how it thrives in poor, rocky soils and extreme weather conditions — characteristics common in the Himalayan terrain. The grass has already been successfully used in other regions to reinforce road cuttings, buffer landslide-prone slopes, and even rehabilitate degraded landscapes. Moreover, its low cost and minimal maintenance needs make it a highly scalable and climate-resilient solution. As Uttarakhand reels from yet another natural disaster, Nath emphasised the urgency of integrating such ecological approaches into the region's disaster management and infrastructure planning. 'Vetiver isn't just a plant — it's a strategy," he said. 'It offers a practical, affordable, and sustainable way to protect lives and livelihoods in the mountains." With climate change intensifying the frequency of extreme weather events, experts like Nath believe that embracing nature-based solutions such as Vetiver grass could be key to building long-term resilience in India's vulnerable hill states. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
