GSI: India's first Geopark to come up in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district

With approval from the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district is all set to get a geopark at Lamheta village, soon. Famous for its white marble rock formations, the Bhedaghar-Jabalpur region geopark will be India's first geopark on the banks of the Narmada river. Read on to know more about this first-of-its-kind move that is aimed at conserving the natural heritage of the site.

Geopark estimated to cost ₹35 crores

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Reportedly, the GSI has sanctioned ₹1.30 crores for the preparation of an in-depth project report on the geological rock formations in the area where the park is supposed to be built. While the project is likely to cost around ₹35 crores, there is a provision to add more funds upon requirement. Notably, the area neighbouring the upcoming park is also going to be developed under the umbrella project.

Located at a distance of 20 kilometres from the Jabalpur district headquarter, these formations are spread across five acres in the Lamheta village. Notably, the site is already under UNESCO's geo-heritage tentative list for conservation of natural heritage. Previously, several dinosaur fossils have been found in the Narmada valley, particularly in the Bhedaghat-Lamheta Ghat area of Jabalpur.

Science centre to come up in Jabalpur soon

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Apart from this geopark, a dedicated science centre will also be set up at Bhedaghat in the Jabalpur district. Estimated to be built at the cost of ₹15.20 crores, the funds for the establishment of this centre will be provided jointly by the centre and state government.

This project will cover 7 acres of land, which has already been transferred to the MP Science and Technology Council from the district administration of Jabalpur. Upon completion, the science centre will offer information on modern science including scientific theories on a wide range of topics like food, water, soil and much more.

What are geoparks?

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As per the definition released by UNESCO, a territory with geological heritage and landscapes of international importance connected to an area's outstanding natural and cultural heritage is called a geopark. Apart from conserving and advancing the sustainable use of geological heritage, this unified area promotes the economic well-being of the residents of the area as well.

This is for the first time in the country that such an initiative is being undertaken for the conservation of rock formations of geological significance. In 1828, the first dinosaur fossil was collected from the Lameta Bed by Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer William Sleeman.

-with inputs from agencies