Geo-heritage Sites

Why is in news? Geological Survey of India to organize Swachhata Campaign at Fifteen Geo-heritage Sites across the Country

As part of the Special Campaign 3.0, an initiative of the Government of India for fostering cleanliness, minimizing pendency, institutionalizing Swachhata, strengthening internal monitoring mechanism, record management in government offices, digitizing physical records etc,Geological Survey of India (GSI), underthe Ministry of Mines, has planned to organize Swachhata Drive at fifteen Geoheritage sites across the country.

Under Special Campaign 2.0 during October 2022, GSI had conducted 89 cleanliness drives in its offices across the country and weeded out 2,25,135 nos. old files and earned a revenue of Rs.1,58,69,544/- through scrap disposal.

To carry forward the spirit of Swachh Bharat Mission, GSI launched the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign on 15.09.2023, and is actively involved in various swachhata events in all its field and outstation offices, as a run up to the Swachhata Divas on 2nd October 2023, the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.

About:

Geological Survey of India (GSI) declares geo-heritage sites/ national geological monuments for protection and maintenance.

The term geological heritage is used for natural geological or geo-morphological features that have aesthetic, intrinsic or scientific and educational value, that provide unique insight into geological processes affecting the formation or evolution of Earth.

The popularization of Geological Heritage sites is long being practiced worldwide through Geo-tourism in areas declared as Geoparks and monuments to protect them from natural degradation or damage from anthropogenic interferences.

While there are 147 UNESCO Global geoparks spread across 41 countries, India is yet to have one of its own.

The Geological Survey of India takes upon itself the responsibility to identify the sites of exceptional geological importance or spectacular geomorphic expression in the country and spread awareness about their preservation.

Till date, GSI has identified a total 92 such Geo-heritage sites and some of these are also recognized as UNESCO world heritage sites.

Geological Survey of India:

It was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways. Presently, GSI is an attached office to the Ministry of Mines.

The main functions of the GSI relate to creation and updation of national geo-scientific information and mineral resource assessment.

It is headquartered in Kolkata.