A research team observed that landslides in the Himalayas is progressively rising over time. Which one of the following could be the best reason for the same?

Correct option is A

Introduction
While the Himalayas are naturally prone to landslides (due to their geology, seismicity, and heavy rainfall), the most plausible reason for a progressive increase over time is the escalating level of human activities. This includes large-scale infrastructure development (roads, dams, and tunnels), deforestation for construction and agriculture, and unscientific excavation, all of which destabilize the already fragile mountain slopes and increase the frequency and severity of landslides.
Information Booster
· Progressive Increase: The key observation is the rise in landslides over time, suggesting a non-natural, incremental cause.
· Primary Driver: Increasing human activities such as road construction, dam building, unregulated mining, and poorly planned settlements are the major destabilizing factors.
· Impact of Activities: Human intervention often involves cutting into the steep slopes, removing protective vegetation (deforestation), and overloading the slopes, all of which reduce stability.
· Natural Vulnerability: The Himalayas are naturally sensitive due to their young, unstable geology and high seismicity.
· Climate Change: Climate change (e.g., changes in rainfall intensity) is an additional factor, but human activities are often the most direct and localized cause of the increase in event frequency.
Additional Points
· Lateral erosion of river is high: This is a natural, ongoing process, not one that suddenly and progressively increases at a national scale to cause a major observed rise in landslides.
· Rainfall is on rise: While changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change are a factor, the impact of direct human activity on slope stability is generally considered the best and most direct reason for a progressive rise.
· Mountain slope is stable: This is false; the mountain slopes are naturally unstable due to their young geological age and active tectonics.