(a) whether most of the geological heritage sites are on the verge of disappearance;
(b) if so, the preventive steps that have been taken/being taken by the Government to conserve the geological and natural heritage keeping in mind that the protection of geo-heritage sites require legislation; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)
(a) to (c): No, Sir. Geological Survey of India [GSI] has declared 32 geological sites as ‘heritage sites’ spread across the country. A few of the sites are maintained by GSI itself and some other sites are maintained by different Departments of respective State Governments and non-Government entities.
Ministry of Mines has approached Ministry of Culture to explore the possibility of inclusion of Geological Heritage sites declared by GSI, under the purview of existing Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958(amended in 2010), by making suitable amendment in the Act.
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