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Joshimath, a town nestled in the fragile terrain of Uttarakhand’s Himalayas, has increasingly become vulnerable to land subsidence and landslides. This study explores the extent and drivers of community vulnerability in the region by combining environmental assessments with socio-economic analysis. Using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, the research constructs a Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) based on five key capitals—human, natural, physical, social, and financial. Primary data were collected through a household survey of 194 respondents across high-, moderate-, and low-risk zones, supported by geospatial mapping and field observations.
The findings reveal that vulnerability is unevenly distributed across the town, with areas like Sunil and Singhdhar facing heightened risks due to a mix of environmental exposure and limited access to resources. Statistical analysis using OLS regression highlights education, health, disaster training, and proximity to markets as significant predictors of household resilience. Additionally, a willingness-to-pay survey indicates that people are ready to contribute to risk-reduction measures when they understand the potential benefits.
This thesis underscores the urgent need for locally informed, risk-sensitive planning. It calls for stronger enforcement of building codes, improved drainage systems, and greater community participation in disaster preparedness. The approach taken here—blending physical risk data with lived realities—offers a valuable framework for planning safer, more resilient mountain settlements. The study’s insights are not only relevant for Joshimath but also for other Himalayan towns grappling with similar environmental pressures.
