The state unit of Geological Survey of India (GSI) has proposed to declare the ‘Natural Arch’ in Kanika range of Sundargarh forest division, believed to be dating back to the Jurassic period a Geo Heritage Site. If it is done, it will be the biggest natural arch of the country to have the Geo Heritage tag.
Key points
- Apart from the arch at Sundargarh, India has two others- one at Tirumala hills in Tirupati and another at Andaman and Nicobar. However, both of them are smaller compared to the one in Sundargarh.
- Scientists said the natural arch present in ferruginous sandstone of Upper Kamthi formation, dates back to about 184 to 160 million years in lower to middle Jurassic age.
- A natural arch, natural bridge, or rock arch is a natural landform where an arch has formed with an opening underneath.
- GSI had earlier declared Pillo Lava at Nomira in Keonjhar district as a Geo Heritage Site.
