Natural Arch In the Kanika Range Of Sundargarh Forest : Odisha
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) state unit has proposed declaring the “Natural Arch” in the Kanika range of Sundargarh forest division in Odisha as a Geo Heritage Site.
- The natural arch, believed to date back to the Jurassic period, would be the largest natural arch in India with the Geo Heritage tag.
- The site showcases primary sedimentary structures and is believed to have formed due to fault activities and sub-aerial weathering.
- The GSI had previously declared Pillo Lava at Nomira in Keonjhar district as a Geo Heritage Site.
- Geo-heritage refers to the geological features which are inherently or culturally significant offering insight into earth’s evolution or history to earth science or that can be utilized for education.
Geological Survey of India:
- Headquartered in Kolkata, 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 the creation and updation of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.
