India will host the World Landslide Forum for the first time, with its seventh edition (WLF7) scheduled to take place from November 22–27, 2026, at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Faridabad (Delhi NCR). According to the organisers, the six-day event will bring together more than 1,000 scientists, policymakers, government representatives and international experts to strengthen global collaboration in landslide science and disaster-risk reduction.
Themed “Landslide Science and Practice for Safe and Resilient Communities,” WLF7 will focus on six thematic areas, covering aspects ranging from risk reduction and early-warning systems to regional case studies. Pre-Forum workshops on November 22 will explore emerging applications of artificial intelligence (AI), satellite monitoring, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) and digital twins. The main Forum will open on November 23 with a plenary session and awards ceremony.
Other highlights include the Asia Leadership Dialogue on Landslide Resilience, a science-policy session on cascading mountain disasters, a national leadership dialogue, a PhD Forum and exhibitions. The programme is tentative.
One of the anticipated outcomes is the Faridabad Declaration on Landslide Risk Reduction. The Forum will also recognise the World Centres of Excellence for the 2026–2029 period.
“Every advancement in landslide science must ultimately help protect a life, a home or a livelihood. Bringing the World Landslide Forum 7 to India for the first time gives Amrita and ICL an opportunity to translate science and technology into timely warnings, effective action and lasting resilience,” said Dr Maneesha V. Ramesh, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
Amrita brings nearly two decades of research experience in landslide detection and mitigation, dating back to 2006. Its work integrates the Internet of Things (IoT), deep-earth sensing, AI and community-based risk communication. The university deployed the world’s first wireless sensor network for landslide detection in Munnar, Kerala, and subsequently in Sikkim at the request of the Government of India. The initiative was launched by Amrita Chancellor Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma). Recognised as a World Centre of Excellence for three consecutive periods, Amrita also received the 2023 Asia Disaster Management Award (ADA). Its landslide-monitoring programme, led by Dr Maneesha V. Ramesh, uses more than 300 sensors and has reportedly impacted over 5,000 lives.
Organised every three years since 2008 under the aegis of the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL), the World Landslide Forum follows its sixth edition, held in Florence, Italy, in 2023. WLF7 is being organised in collaboration with the Geological Survey of India (GSI), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Department of Science and Technology (DST), National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other organisations.
The event has attracted more than 700 abstracts and research papers, representing over 1,900 authors from more than 75 countries and regions and 760-plus institutions.
Among the Indian dignitaries expected to attend are Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences. Other prominent Indian participants include Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala (MoES), Dr Krishna Vatsa (NDMA), Dr Saibal Ghosh (GSI) and Dr Virendra M. Tiwari (IUGG).
The international speaker list includes Dr Soichiro Yasukawa (UNESCO), Dr Kyoji Sassa (ICL), Dr Matjaž Mikoš, Prof. Fausto Guzzetti, Prof. Bruce Malamud, Prof. Michel Jaboyedoff, Dr Binod Tiwari, Prof. Cees van Westen and Prof. Thom Bogaard. The complete list of speakers is available on the WLF7 website.
Key dates and programme
- November 22: Pre-Forum workshops.
- November 23: Opening plenary, proposed Faridabad Declaration and awards ceremony.
- November 24–26: Technical sessions and exhibitions.
- November 27: Closing ceremony.
Venue: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Faridabad Campus, Delhi NCR.
