How did the Sikkim-Darjeeling region become so prone to landslides?

The section of the Himalaya between the Kangchendzonga spur in the west and the Chumbi Valley in Tibet to the east – alternatively known as the Sikkim-Darjeeling Himalaya, is an ecologically and culturally unique landscape and a steep mountainous region. In recent decades, it has been under increased pressure for infrastructure development of roads, power generation dams and tourist and military facilities due to its scenic value and geopolitical location.

Livelihood and connectivity-based development are inevitable and have had some public support to bring the region closer to the rest of India in terms of economic diversification. However, using the mountain topography to generate electricity for the forever energy-hungry people has had ambiguous support. Most of the power generated from the four dams on the main Teesta river supplies the needs for energy in the rest of the country since the intensity of industrial and domestic use is much more in the plains below.

The centralised generation of electricity is considered a relatively clean way to use energy. However, the long-term assessments of even non-fossil fuel-based energy like hydroelectric dams aren’t assessed correctly. The power generation utilities are government-owned, with immense power over the lives of the local people and several state resources at its disposal.