Slope Stability

Most of the hill slopes in Project Area and its vicinity are covered with variable
thickness of colluvial and terrace deposits. Excavation made for the construction
of various structures especially at the toe of the slope destabilizes the existing
state of stresses and promotes land sliding.
Several reports that examine the landslide issues in Murree Hills are available.
One of these was undertaken by the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation (SDC) for the Murree-Kahuta Development Authority in 1988-89.
The objective was to identify the area for an erosion control project, assess the
local conditions and problems, ability of partner organizations in solving
problems, and suggest erosion
control

activity

participation.
highlighted

with

public

The

report

severe

erosion

problems, and emphasized that

erosion in Murree Tehsil area
would

be

intensive

geomorphologic
deforestation

due

to

process,
and

construction

activities. A historical report by

Land slide along Express Highway, Murree

Horst Boreerky, Soil and Material

Specialist engaged by the PWD, opposed any more construction in the area. Mr.
Horst categorically recommended that construction should not be allowed on
slopes exceeding 20 degrees in the Murree area and its vicinity.
The construction of Islamabad Muzaffarabad Dual Carriage Highway is of
strategic importance and links the Pakistans Capital, Islamabad, with the capital
of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad. During its construction, extensive
cutting of trees and extensive blasting for removal of rocks took place and no

particular efforts have yet been observed being made to mitigate the impacts of
these activities in future.
The key reasons of slope failure identified in the area include rapid infiltration of
water during rainfall, causing soil saturation and temporary rise of pore water
pressure in alluvium, which reduces its shear strength and eventually leads to
landslides. The velocity of surface runoff is high on steep slopes causing high
erosion, destabilizing streambeds and banks, and developing tension cracks that
lead to landslides. To reduce these risks, need for an effective and wellmaintained drainage system.

Murree Formation - Early Miocene (Tmm)

The Formation is composed of a monotonous sequence of dark red and purple
Siltstone and greenish grey sandstone with subordinate intraformational
conglomerate. The basal strata of the formation consist of light greenish grey
calcareous sandstone and conglomerate.
The main body of the Formation is poorly fossiliferous and only a few plant
remains,

silicified

remains,

frog

bones

have

wood,

and
been

fish

mammalian
recorded.

However, the Fatehjang Member

has yielded identifiable mammals
indicating

Anthracotherium

bugtiense, Brachyodus giganteus,

Hemimeryx sp etc. According to
fauna evidence, Murree Formation
has an age of Early Miocene.

Highly Sheared and Deformed Rocks of Murree

Formation, Danna Murree Area.

The Formation is widely developed in the Kohat- Potwar Provence. It has also
been recognized in Kashmir. It is up to3,030 m thick in the northern Potowar
area. The Formation ranges in thickness between 180 and 600 m in the northern
Salt Range. Throughout its extent, the Formation unconformably overlies various
formations of Eocene age. Its upper contact is broadly transitional with the
Kamlial Formation. However in Murree and its vicinity this Formations has a
complex structure forming a Faulted Contact with Kuldanna Formation.
Most of the Project Area is comprised of Murree Formation e.g. Mohra Syedan in
Southwards, GalahraGali in the Southeast, Masiari in the West, Trata Hatar in
East and upper Topa, JhikaGali and Garyal in the NNEwards of Lower Topa
constitute thick deposits of Murree Formation.