Lok Sabha Question No. 858 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-07
Subject: Geological Survey of India
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 858 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2019

## GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

858. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has a comprehensive repository of geological structures in the country;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  if  not, whether the Government proposes to create such a repository and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  GSI  has  a  policy  for  geological  conservation,  to  protect  unusual  rock  types, landforms  that  preserve  records  of  natural  events  of  the  past,  significant  fossil  localities, stratigraphic sections, areas where significant advances in geology have been made, and deposits of particular minerals; and
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  create  such  a policy and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES AND COAL (SHRI HARIBHAI PARTHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

- (a)  to  (e):  Geological  Survey  of  India  (GSI)  has  identified  many  sites  of  unique  geological importance and exceptional geomorphic expression/ landscapes. It has designated 32 various such types  of  naturally  preserved  geological  structures/  monuments  as  geo-heritage  sites/  national geological  monuments  across  the  country  for  protection  and  maintenance.  The  details  of  these sites are as follows:

| S. No   | Geological heritage site / National geological monument                                                                        | S. No           | Geological heritage site / National geological monument                                                                                                                                               |
|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1.      | ANDHRA PRADESH Volcanogenic bedded Barytes, Mangampeta, Cuddapah District (Dist.).                                             | 22.             | MAHARASHTRA Lonar Lake, Buldana Dist.                                                                                                                                                                 |
| 2. 3.   | Eparchaean Unconformity, Chittor Dist. Natural Geological Arch, Tirumala Hills, Chittor Dist.                                  | 23.             | CHATTISGARH Lower Permian Marine bed at Manendragarh, Surguja Dist.                                                                                                                                   |
| 4.      | Erra Matti Dibbalu- the dissected and stabilized coastal red sediment mounds located between Vishakhapatnam and Bhimunipatnam. | 24. 25. 26. 27. | KARNATAKA Columnar Lava, St Mary Island Udupi Dist. Pillow lavas near Mardihalli, Chitradurga Dist. Peninsular Gneiss, Lalbagh, Banglore. Pyroclastics & Pillow lavas, Kolar Gold fields, Kolar Dist. |
| 5.      | KERALA Laterite near Angadipuram PWD rest house premises, Malapuram Dist.                                                      | 28.             | HIMACHAL PRADESH Siwalik Fossil Park, Saketi, Sirmur Dist.                                                                                                                                            |
| 6.      | Varkala Cliff Section, Thiruvanatapuram Dist.                                                                                  | 29.             | ODISHA Pillow Lava in lron ore belt at Nomira, Keonjhar Dist.                                                                                                                                         |

|             | TAMILNADU                                                                                                                                         |     | JHARKHAND                                                                                                              |
|-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 7.          | Fossil wood near Tiruvakkarai, South Arcot Dist.                                                                                                  | 30. | Plant Fossil bearing Inter-trappean beds of Rajmahal Formation, upper Gondwana sequence around Mandro, Sahibganj Dist. |
| 8.          | National fossil wood park, Sattanur, Tiruchirapalli Dist.                                                                                         |     |                                                                                                                        |
| 9. 10.      | Charnockite, St. Thomas Mount, Madras. Badlands of Karai Formation with Cretaceous fossils along Karai - Kulakkalnattam Section, Perambalur Dist. |     |                                                                                                                        |
|             |                                                                                                                                                   | 31. | NAGALAND Nagahill Ophiolite Site near Pungro.                                                                          |
| 11.         | GUJARAT Sedimentary Structures - Eddy Markings, Kadan Dam, Panch Mahals Dist.                                                                     | 32. | SIKKIM Stromatolite bearing Dolomite / Limestone of Buxa Formation at Mamley, near Namchi, South Dist.                 |
| 12. 13. 14. | RAJASTHAN Sendra Granite, Pali Dist. Barr Conglomerate, Pali Dist. Stromatolite Fossil Park, Jharmarkotra                                         |     |                                                                                                                        |

After  declaration  of  Geoheritage  sites,  GSI  or  the  respective  State  Government  take necessary measures to protect these sites.

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