- In the The 57th Meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB), held on 16 February, achievements of GSI (Geological Survey of India) were outlined and the proposed Annual Programme for ensuing 2018-19 was presented before all Board members.
Achievements of GSI
- Multi-sensor Aero-geophysical Surveys : GSI has launched Multi-sensor Aero-geophysical Surveys to target deep seated and concealed mineral deposits using global expertise and knowledge that will generate aero-geophysical data of 27 lakh line square kilometres by 2019. This would help locating new target areas of ground exploration enabling the nation to harness hitherto unknown potential mineral wealth.
- Regional Mineral Targeting programme: From 2018-19 onwards GSI is launching ‘Regional Mineral Targeting’ programme in five Regions through integration of all baseline data of ground survey and aerial survey in GIS platform for prognosticating novel areas in the ambit of regional scale mineral exploration.
- R V SamudraVedhani: The offshore research and exploration capacities of GSI is going to be enhanced with acquisition of a new state of the art ocean-going Geotechnical Vessel by 2019-20 (R V SamudraVedhani) at an approximate cost of Rs.250 crore having the capabilities of drilling in shallow water towards offshore exploration of placer deposits, phosphorite and gas hydrates as well as catering to the development of ports.
- Bhukosh: GSI has launched the interactive map service platform– ‘Bhukosh’ in its web portal for use by all stakeholders and citizen of India.
- National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM): GSI is committed to complete about 2,32,720 sq. km of National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) by March 2019.
About Geological Survey of India (GSI)
- The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways. Although the arrival of Sir Thomas Oldham, Professor of Geology at Trinity College Dublin and the Chief of Irish Geological Survey at Calcutta on 4th March 1851, marked the beginning of the continuous period of the Geological Survey of India.
- Functions: The main functions of GSI relate to creation and updation 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, glaciology, seismotectonic study, and carrying out fundamental research.
- Headquarters: GSI, headquartered at Kolkata, has six Regional offices located at Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata and State Unit offices in almost all States of the country.
- It is the pivotal organizaton, under the aegis of Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Earth Science,
- GSI is the nodal agency for landslide studies in India.
About the ‘The Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB)’
- CGPB is the apex body at the national level to overview the programme of geoscientific activities including mineral exploration in the country.
- It was established through Government of India Resolution dt. 27th July, 1966, and subsequently revamped vide Ministry of Mines resolution of 12th March, 2009 with the constitution of 12 theme based committees.
- The CGPB meeting is held twice in a year. -The Secretary (Mines) is the chairman of CGPB.
- Geological Survey of India is the nodal department (Member Secretary) and the State Geology and Mining departments and Central Government institutions, permanent and special invitees are its participating members.
