UPSC EDITORIAL ANALYSIS : Read the rocks to improve India’s geological literacy

Source: The Hindu

• Prelims: Current events of national and international importance, Geo-heritage sites, Types of rocks, crater, geological conservation, biological diversity act etc

• Mains GS Paper III: Conservation of Environment, Biodiversity and Environment(Environmental Pollution and pollutants and degradation)

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• With landscapes that range from the world’s greatest peaks to low-lying coastal plains, India showcases a diverse morphology that has evolved over billions of years.

INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE

Context

• The earth’s crust is composed of rocks.

• A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals.

• Rock may be hard or soft and in varied colors. For example: Granite is hard, soapstone is soft. Gabbro is black and quartzite can be milky white. Rocks do not have a definite composition of mineral constituents. Feldspar and quartz are the most common minerals found in rocks. There are many different kinds of rocks which are grouped under three families on the basis of their mode of formation: Igneous Rocks:

• For example: Granite is hard, soapstone is soft. Gabbro is black and quartzite can be milky white.

• Granite is hard, soapstone is soft.

• Gabbro is black and quartzite can be milky white.

• Rocks do not have a definite composition of mineral constituents.

• Feldspar and quartz are the most common minerals found in rocks.

• There are many different kinds of rocks which are grouped under three families on the basis of their mode of formation:

• Igneous Rocks:

• Igneous rock is formed by the solidification of magma and lava. This is also known as the primary rock. Ex. Granite and Basalt etc. Sedimentary Rocks:

• Igneous rock is formed by the solidification of magma and lava. This is also known as the primary rock. Ex. Granite and Basalt etc.

• Sedimentary Rocks:

• Sedimentary rocks are the result of deposition of fragments of rocks by exogenous processes. This is also known as the secondary rocks. Ex: sandstone, limestone, shale etc. Metamorphic Rocks:

• Sedimentary rocks are the result of deposition of fragments of rocks by exogenous processes. This is also known as the secondary rocks. Ex: sandstone, limestone, shale etc.

• Metamorphic Rocks:

• Metamorphic Rocks formed from already-existing rocks that are undergoing recrystallization. Tertiary rocks are another name for metamorphic rocks. Ex: phyllite, schist, gneiss, quartzite and marble etc.

Geo-heritage sites:

• They are educational spaces where people acquire much needed geological literacy.

• Geo-heritage refers to the geological features which are inherently or culturally significant offering insight to earth’s evolution or history to earth science or that can be utilized for education.

• Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the parent body which is making efforts towards identification and protection of geo-heritage sites/national geological monuments in the country.

• Geological conservation: It seeks to ensure the survival of the best representative examples of India’s geological features and events so that present and future generations can appreciate more of the world’s best natural laboratories.

• so that present and future generations can appreciate more of the world’s best natural laboratories.

Issues:

• Many fossil-bearing sites have been destroyed in the name of development and real estate growth Destructive stone mining activities also add to this misery. Area covered under stone-mining operations exceeds more than 10% of the total area of India.

• Destructive stone mining activities also add to this misery.

• Area covered under stone-mining operations exceeds more than 10% of the total area of India.

Unique Geological sites in India:

• Dhala meteoritic impact crater in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh:This between 5 billion to 2.5 billion-year-old crater is evidence of a celestial collision when life must have begun.

• Lonar crater in Buldhana district of Maharashtra was earlier dated to be about 50,000 years old, and a recent study suggests its origin around 5,76,000 years ago.

Geological heritage globally:

• It was first recognised in 1991 at a UNESCO-sponsored event, ‘First International Symposium on the Conservation of our Geological Heritage’. The delegates assembled in Digne, France, endorsed the concept of a shared legacy: “Man and the Earth share a common heritage, of which we and our governments are but the custodians”. This declaration foresaw the establishment of geo-parks as sites: that commemorate unique geological features and landscapes within their assigned territories As spaces that educate the public on geological importance. Geo-heritage sites in many countries such as Canada, China, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom have been developed as national parks. UNESCO has prepared guidelines for the development of geo-parks. Many countries have the necessary legislation to build, protect and designate geo-parks. Europe celebrates its geological heritage across 73 zones. Japan offers another good lesson in such conservation. There are 169 Global Geoparks across 44 countries. Thailand and Vietnam have implemented laws to conserve their geological and natural heritage.

• The delegates assembled in Digne, France, endorsed the concept of a shared legacy:

• “Man and the Earth share a common heritage, of which we and our governments are but the custodians”.

• This declaration foresaw the establishment of geo-parks as sites: that commemorate unique geological features and landscapes within their assigned territories As spaces that educate the public on geological importance.

• that commemorate unique geological features and landscapes within their assigned territories

• As spaces that educate the public on geological importance.

• Geo-heritage sites in many countries such as Canada, China, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom have been developed as national parks.

• UNESCO has prepared guidelines for the development of geo-parks.

• Many countries have the necessary legislation to build, protect and designate geo-parks.

• Europe celebrates its geological heritage across 73 zones.

• Japan offers another good lesson in such conservation.

• There are 169 Global Geoparks across 44 countries.

• Thailand and Vietnam have implemented laws to conserve their geological and natural heritage.

Geological heritage conservation in India:

• The Biological Diversity Act was implemented in 2002 and there are now 18 notified biosphere reserves in India.

• Geological Survey of India (GSI) has notified 34 geological monuments It lacks the regulatory powers to implement the preservation measures.

• It lacks the regulatory powers to implement the preservation measures.

• Recent development: cliff in Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, is a typical example. This cliff overlooks the Arabian Sea is made up of rocks deposited millions of years ago It has been declared by the GSI as a geological heritage site.

• This cliff overlooks the Arabian Sea is made up of rocks deposited millions of years ago

• It has been declared by the GSI as a geological heritage site.

Way Forward

• Half-hearted attempt to constitute a National Commission for Heritage Sites through a Bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha. It was eventually referred to the Standing Committee, the government backtracked on it for some unstated reasons and the Bill was withdrawn. The Bill was meant to: constitute a national commission to implement the stipulations of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention 1972 create a national roster of heritage sites. The Ministry of Mines(2022) has prepared a draft Bill for preservation and maintenance, but no further progress on this has been heard. Annexure to the Draft Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2022 says, “In sharp contrast to the well laid out protection and conservation measures addressed with relevant legislation on archaeological and historical monuments and cultural heritage sites, India does not have any specific and specialized policy or law to conserve and preserve the geoheritage sites and geo-relics for future generations.” India needs to create an inventory of all prospective geo-sites in the country (in addition to the 34 sites identified by the GSI) Frame geo-conservation legislation for the country along the lines of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 Have a ‘National Geo-Conservation Authority’ along the lines of the National Biodiversity Authority, with independent observers while ensuring that the establishment will not lead to red tape and encroach on the autonomy of researchers and academically-inclined private collectors.

• It was eventually referred to the Standing Committee, the government backtracked on it for some unstated reasons and the Bill was withdrawn.

• The Bill was meant to: constitute a national commission to implement the stipulations of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention 1972 create a national roster of heritage sites.

• constitute a national commission to implement the stipulations of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention 1972

• create a national roster of heritage sites.

• The Ministry of Mines(2022) has prepared a draft Bill for preservation and maintenance, but no further progress on this has been heard.

• Annexure to the Draft Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2022 says, “In sharp contrast to the well laid out protection and conservation measures addressed with relevant legislation on archaeological and historical monuments and cultural heritage sites, India does not have any specific and specialized policy or law to conserve and preserve the geoheritage sites and geo-relics for future generations.”

• India does not have any specific and specialized policy or law to conserve and preserve the geoheritage sites and geo-relics for future generations.”

• India needs to create an inventory of all prospective geo-sites in the country (in addition to the 34 sites identified by the GSI)

• Frame geo-conservation legislation for the country along the lines of the Biological Diversity Act 2002

• Have a ‘National Geo-Conservation Authority’ along the lines of the National Biodiversity Authority, with independent observers while ensuring that the establishment will not lead to red tape and encroach on the autonomy of researchers and academically-inclined private collectors.

• while ensuring that the establishment will not lead to red tape and encroach on the autonomy of researchers and academically-inclined private collectors.

QUESTION FOR PRACTICE

How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in the recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption.(UPSC 2018) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)

Editorial Analysis – 27 June 2024 [PDF]