India has been divided into different landslide vulnerability zones based on past experiences, frequency, and causal relationships with controlling factors like geology, geomorphic agents, slope, land-use, vegetation cover, and human activities.

The Very High Vulnerability Zone includes highly unstable, relatively young mountainous areas in the Himalayas and Andaman and Nicobar. It also covers high rainfall regions with steep slopes in the Western Ghats and Nilgiris, along with the north-eastern regions. Areas experiencing frequent ground-shaking due to earthquakes and areas of intense human activities related to construction of roads and dams are also included.

The Other Areas that are relatively safe from landslides include states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal (except district Darjiling), Assam (except district Karbi Anglong), and Coastal regions of the southern States.

For mitigation, area-specific measures should be adopted. There should be restriction on construction and developmental activities such as roads and dams. Agriculture should be limited to valleys and areas with moderate slopes, and control on development of large settlements in high vulnerability zones should be enforced.

Additionally, positive actions like promoting large-scale afforestation programmes and construction of bunds to reduce water flow should be undertaken. Terrace farming should be encouraged in the northeastern hill states where Jhumming is still prevalent.