71% Support Banning Harmful Activities to Prevent Future Kerala Landslides

The devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, on July 30, have sparked widespread debate and concern. Nearly 200 lives were lost, and more than 200 people remain missing as rescue operations continue. While natural factors like heavy rainfall are often cited as the cause of such disasters, experts and the public alike are questioning the role of human activities in triggering these catastrophic events. This survey explores public opinion on whether the recent tragedy in Wayanad was a man-made catastrophe or purely a natural disaster.

Key Highlights

• Rapid urbanization has made regions like Wayanad more susceptible to landslides, reckons 71.1%
• Almost 67% attribute primary blame for the landslide to the state government.
• 71.28% support the implementation of laws banning harmful activities in the region to prevent future disasters.

Was Kerala’s Landslide a Man-made Catastrophe?

The Real Research survey on Kerala’s Landslide revealed that 49.58% of respondents were completely aware of the landslides, while 37.64% were vaguely aware. However, a notable 12.78% were completely unaware of the event. This suggests a need for greater awareness and communication about such critical issues.

When asked if Kerala’s landslides are purely natural occurrences, 61.02% believed they were, while 38.98% felt otherwise, indicating a significant portion of the population suspects that factors beyond nature might have contributed to the disaster.

A majority of 63.98% of respondents agreed with experts who stated that human activities, such as unscientific construction and large-scale deforestation, triggered Kerala’s landslides. Additionally, 32.5% agreed to some extent, leaving only a small fraction of 3.52% who did not see human activities as a contributing factor.

The Man-Made Tragedy That Unfolded

The survey also highlighted the ongoing blame game between the Kerala state government and the Central government of India. A substantial 66.96% of respondents felt that the state government was primarily to blame for the landslide, while 33.04% disagreed.

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil, a critic of the state government, pointed out that failure to adhere to guidelines designed to prevent such disasters had exacerbated the situation. His statement resonated with 71.1% of respondents, who believe that rapid urbanization has indeed made regions like Wayanad more susceptible to landslides.

Furthermore, 71.28% of participants agreed that the government should implement laws banning harmful activities in highly sensitive areas to avoid further disasters. The survey also supported Mr Gadgil’s claim that the disaster was a man-made tragedy, with 58.44% absolutely agreeing and 35.02% probably agreeing.

The findings indicate a strong public sentiment that the landslide in Wayanad was not just a natural disaster but a catastrophe exacerbated by human activities. A clear majority supports stricter regulations and greater accountability to prevent such tragedies in the future.