Impact of Global Changes on Mountains: Case Study of Brazil - Impact of Global Changes on Mountains: Responses and Adaptation - page 490

of residents. It is unthinkable from the standpoint of economic and social
development to solve a problem of this magnitude with mass evictions or
the construction of massive consolidation works.
Whereas, as previously mentioned, there are several situations where a
destabilization process does not occur without presenting early indications,
and that the geotechnical accidents occur more frequently in the rainy season
(main starting agent), it is possible, therefore, to establish indicators of actual
occurrence of destructive events that can be monitored. Local residents can
be also be educated to identify these indicators and take appropriate action
to safeguard their lives, their families and neighbors.
The implementation of procedures for monitoring places of risk is
fundamental to the strategy to reduce damage from geotechnical accidents.
It consists in acting on all areas, from past occurrences or specialized
technical studies, which have a higher probability of being able to develop
some process of instability of the ground.
This type of intervention through monitoring, however implies that
Government is ready to take the risk inherent in the situation and this
step is taken as an immediate intervention due to lack of funds or till an
integrated plan is developed.
To guide the work of monitoring, it is proposed that minimum
specifi cations and criteria be followed in this work. These criteria should
be viewed as a suggestion and may be adjusted and supplemented by the
contribution of the technical expertise present at the site, here involving
not only the geotechnical professionals but also professionals in social
work, architecture and urban planning, infrastructure and other specialties
involved in the process of slum upgrading and low-income housing
developments.
Criteria for monitoring
• All residents located in risk areas will be notifi ed, according to the
classifi cation of the risk map prepared in the phases of zoning and risk
register, explaining in every case the degree of risk which that resident
is subjected to (very high, high, medium or low);
• Will only be capable of monitoring:
° The locations where the processes do not trigger instability;
° The places where the processes of instability may manifest itself over
time, providing evidence of their possible outbreak;
° The locations where the destructive power of instability will occur
abruptly, is not enough to cause loss of human life by enabling people
to leave the scene of the accident unscathed.
• Every resident in the risk area should be given these specifi cations,
and any subsequent adjustments and additions;