The Dukes of Hazards

Colleen Scott, Jeremy Elkayam

Mission Statement

To protect the lands and rivers by uniting geospatial technology with environmental dedication.

Blog

Landslide Susceptibility in Bhutan

Why?

Bhutan’s location in the Himalayas makes it a veritable hotbed of rainy, high-relief landscapes and therefore at risk for landslides. Over 40% of Bhutan’s land is protected by its government for environmental conservation, and natural disaster preparation is an integral part of conservation efforts. Landslides also impact Bhutan’s drainage network, filling runoff water with sediment which passes into the more low-lying southern parts of the country. This impacts agricultural productivity as well as waterway health, since 98% of Bhutan’s irrigated water for agriculture comes from stream diversion.

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the majority of Bhutan’s population. Landslides destroy terraces and structures used for farming, and the rainfall that feeds 40% of Bhutan’s farms exacerbates landslide risk.

How?

We use GIS tools to conduct risk analyses for locations across space and time, based on factors such as relief and land use.

Contact

Shoot us an email at dukesofhazardsllc@gmail.com.