JCE_V1_N2_RP2 B.A. Lone S.K. Bukhari Journal on Civil Engineering 2249 - 0779 1 2 14 26 Natural Hazard, Geodynamically, Landslides, Topography, Lithology, Slope Angle, Drainage, Seismicity, Landuse, Landcover When a natural process disrupts humans, it no longer operates as a separate entity, but one that intersects and possesses a threat to humans. This intersection is termed 'natural hazard'. India is vulnerable to different natural hazards due to its proximity to geodynamically active locales and unique climatic pattern. Both these factors in different combinations lead to the occurrence of disasters resulting from natural hazards like floods, earthquakes, draught, cyclones and landslides in different parts of the country at frequent intervals. It is observed that impact of natural disasters is felt more severely by people who are socio-economically weak because their habitats are located in vulnerable areas and not designed to withstand the impact of natural disasters. Therefore, the processes of poverty eradication and disaster management are intricately linked. A great majority of slope failures in Jammu & Kashmir State occurs along National Highways and roads. The study of the landslide/slope failure problem in this region is of great concern and a challenge before the geoscientific community to be tackled. The factors generally responsible for this problem are topography, climate, lithology, relative relief (local height), slope angle, structure, drainage, seismicity, landuse and landcover, and anthropogenic activities. The present work is focused on the factors responsible for the initiation of landslide/slope failure along the Jammu - Kishtwar National highway in the Batote - Doda sector. March - May 2011 Copyright © 2011 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=1438