52nd Meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board

CURTAIN RAISER

The 52nd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting of the Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Mines is being held on 14 Feb 2013 in New Delhi. The Minister of Mines, Shri Dinsha J. Patel will inaugurate the exhibition and the 52nd CGPB meeting. An exhibition on the theme of Mission-IV activities of GSI like Engineering Geology, Geohazards, Glaciological Studies, Geoenvironmental Studies etc. will also be held.

The Ministry of Mines, vide notification dated 12th March 2009 had revamped/reconstituted the CGPB Committee into 12 theme-based groups. The objective is to enable the States and other Stakeholders to accrue benefit from wider participation and interaction with GSI to further their activities.

Geological Survey of India

GSI was founded way back in 1851 with the prime task of locating coal resources of the country. But over the years, this organization has evolved into not only a Central Government institution of high standing but also a National asset, which has profoundly augmented the natural resource reserve of the country. It has, thus, reduced the dependence on import of minerals and the import bill on the exchequer.

Today, with the technological advances world over, Earth Sciences are progressing at a rapid pace. In this context, GSI’s endeavor in taking up hyperspectral mapping of the country besides the national geomorphological mapping programe, is a matter of pride. Further, with the operationalisation of the heliborne survey and acquisition of blue water ocean-going vessel by GSI, the search for mineral resources both on shore and offshore is all set to gain momentum.

Search for minerals is a long drawn exercise, which starts with regional geological mapping and exploration, followed by detailed exploration. The Mining Industry is, thus, dependent on the exploration agencies for economic exploitation of mineral deposit. India, currently, is at a critical juncture and poised for a quantum jump. For global participation in search and exploitation of minerals, India has opened up this industry in the early nineties; policies and acts are being continuously reviewed and being made more industry friendly.

The Ministry of Mines/GSI have entered into a number of MoUs with a host of other countries like Canada, Republic of Columbia, Saudi Arabia etc. for international cooperation in the fields of mineral exploration, geosciences involving societal issues, transfer of technology and capacity building. It is expected that with the implementation of these MoUs, adoption of the best international practices and the transfer of latest technological know-how to GSI will get a tremendous boost. Over the past 160 years GSI has been dedicatedly collecting vast amounts of field and laboratory generated data. In order to make this invaluable data available for societal benefit, GSI Portal, is now active as the gateway for dissemination of geospatial information.

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