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), under  the 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 2^nd October 2023, the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.

GSI is preparing to initiate the Special Campaign 3.0, from 2nd to 31^stOctober 2023, at Geoheritage sites to spread the spirit of cleanliness among the common masses and also sensitize them on the necessity to preserve the geological heritage sites of the country. This campaign will also help generate immense tourism potential for the states and pave the way for economic development in the regions.

GSI has identified a total fifteen Geo-heritage sites (Annexure-1) for the Swachhata Drive during this period, starting with the Nighoj -Natural Potholes Geoheritage site in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra on the 2^nd October 2023.

About Geo-heritage Sites

India’s bountiful heritage includes not only the breathtakingly beautiful and diverse architectural styles rooted in its history, culture and traditions but also the mesmerizing and scenic geological monuments and landscapes. These majestic creations of nature are considered as the illustrations of various geological processes operating on the surface as well as in the deeper part of Earth. These unique geological and geo morphological features are designated as Geo-heritage sites and Geological Survey of India, being a pioneer organization in the field of geoscientific survey and research, takes pride in its efforts to preserve these sites for the future generations.

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. 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.

About Geological Survey of India

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways. Over the years, GSI has not only grown into a repository of geo-science information required in various fields in the country but has also attained the status of a geo-scientific organization of international repute. Its main functions relate to creating and updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment. These objectives are achieved through ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting and investigations, multi-disciplinary geoscientific, geo-technical, geo-environmental and natural hazards studies, as well as through glaciological, seismo-tectonic and other branches of fundamental geoscience.

GSI’s long term priority has been to provide objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and geoscientific information of all kinds, that help in making policy decisions on commercial and socio-economic needs of the country. The organization carries out this work through geological, geophysical, & geochemical surveys using the latest and most cost-effective techniques and methodologies.GSI presently emphasizes on investigation for critical and strategic minerals for augmentation of these resources and on establishing early warning systems on landslides.

GSI’s core competence in survey and mapping is continuously enhanced through accretion, management, coordination and utilization of spatial databases (including those acquired through remote sensing). It functions as a ‘Repository’ for the purpose and uses the latest technologies for dissemination of geoscientific information and spatial data, through cooperation and collaboration with other stakeholders in the Geo-informatics sector.

GSI, headquartered in Kolkata, has six regional offices located in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata and state unit offices in almost all states of the country. GSI is an attached office to the Ministry of Mines.

Annexure-I

LIST OF SELECTED GEOHERITAGE/GEOTOURISM SITES FOR SPECIAL CAMPAIGN 3.0

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BY/RKP