Geological Survey of India
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Geological Survey of India Geological Survey of India GSI Home page link: https://www.gsi.gov.in/webcenter/portal/OCBIS 1.0 Introduction: Founded in 1851, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) started its voyage to search for and assess coal and mineral resources of the country. In the 170 years since its foundation, GSI has continued to grow and diversify into various geoscientific activities, and delivered colossal contribution in the arena of geosciences as well as in the economic growth of India. One of the oldest Surveys of the world, the history of GSI is synonymous with history of development of the infrastructure and industries in India. GSI, headquartered at Kolkata, has six Regional offices located at Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata, and has State Unit offices in almost all States of the country (Fig.1.1). Fig. 1.1. Location of GSI – CHQ, Missions, Regions, State Unit, Training Centres and other offices 1.1 Activity Domains of GSI: After independence, GSI’s activities in mineral exploration as well as baseline surveys have increased manifold in order to sustain the momentum of national economic development 1 | P a g e Geological Survey of India and to meet the ever-increasing demands of various stakeholders. Over the years, it has not only developed into a huge repository of precious geoscientific data applied in various developmental sectors in the country, but has also attained the status of a geo-scientific organization of international repute. The principal function of GSI relates to creation and updation of national geoscientific data (baseline data) through geological, geochemical, geophysical mapping and mineral resource assessment, air-borne and marine surveys and conducting multifarious geo-technical, geo-environmental and natural hazards studies, glaciology, seismotectonics, etc. and to nurture studies on fundamental research. Under the National Mineral Policy 2008 (NMP 2008), GSI remained as principal agency for geological mapping and regional mineral resource assessment of the country, with the additional responsibility of drawing up of action oriented plans in close cooperation with all other agencies. Though mineral prospecting and exploration are thrown open to the private sector in the backdrop of liberalized economic scenario of the country, GSI is still regarded as the prime source for basic earth science data up to the level of regional exploration. The limited success of earlier policy measures, as well as the requirements of new emerging imperatives, has led to the MMDR Amendment Act of 2015. From the FS 2015-16, GSI has been mandated to carry out G2-Stage ‘general exploration’ for non-energy minerals for generation of geological reports for auctioning of mineral concession in addition to ‘reconnaissance survey’ [G4], ‘preliminary exploration’ [G3] following the guidelines of United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) and MMDR Act 2015. More than 100 resource bearing G2/G3 reports on various mineral commodities have been generated by GSI since 2015. In the light of above amendments in MMDR Act an emergent need to provide an impetus to exploration in the country at this juncture has prompted a thorough review of exploration policy and strategy. A new exploration Policy therefore has been adopted as National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP) in 2016. The NMEP, 2016 encompasses diverse issues related to exploration like acquisition and dissemination of pre- competitive baseline geoscience data of the highest standards, creation of a geoscience data repository, special initiative to probe deep-seated/concealed mineral deposits etc. As per the NMEP 2016, GSI is carrying out, Project Uncover (India) in association with Geoscience Australia to search for deep seated/ concealed mineral occurrences, National Aero-geophysical Mapping (NAGMP) to cover the OGP areas, Regional Mineral Targeting (RMT) programmes to gain insight into the process of finding mineral deposits starting with regional models. GSI is generating almost all baseline geoscience data e.g. geological, geochemical, geophysical and aero-geophysical which are of paramount importance for effective mineral exploration. GSI is taking leading role in the process of setting up of the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) for benefit of all stakeholders wherein all mineral exploration data of the country will be made available at one platform. GSI has made its presence felt in national arena and poised to build an economically and socially vibrant, creative and an enterprising India sharing its geoscientific data with entrepreneurs, administrators, policy makers and civil society. 2 | P a g e Geological Survey of India Following the recommendations of the High Power Committee (HPC) constituted by the Ministry of Mines and accepted by the Union Cabinet in October 2011, GSI is an ‘Attached Office’ to the Ministry of Mines. 1.2 Vision for GSI: Vision for GSI has been defined as the aspiration: 1. To develop into a world-class institution for fundamental as well as applied geosciences, always keeping up with the latest technologies and methodologies. 2. To create a close-knit national geoscientific community through leadership and collaborative partnerships; and 3. To acquire and provide expertise and widely disseminate geoscientific information to facilitate informed decision-making by policy makers and public and enable use of geoscientific data for sustainable socio-economic development. 1.3 Charter for GSI: As per the Gazette notification issued on 25.5.2009, the new Charter for GSI has come into force to: 1. Enable and facilitate the providing of objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and geoscientific information of all kinds, particularly for decision-making for policy, commercial, economic and societal needs. 2. Systematically document the geology and geological processes of the surface and subsurface of India and its offshore areas using the latest and most cost-effective techniques and methodologies, including geophysical and geochemical and geological surveys. 3. Develop and continually enhance GSI's core competence in survey and mapping through continued accretion, management, co-ordination and utilization of spatial databases (including those acquired through remote sensing) and function as a 'Repository' or 'clearing house' for the purpose and use new and emerging computer- based technologies for dissemination of geographic information and other spatial data, through cooperation and collaboration with other stakeholders in the Geoinformatics sector. 4. Explore (through ground, airborne, satellite, and marine surveys) and scientifically assess mineral, energy and water resources for the country and facilitate their optimal exploration through information dissemination. 5. Maintain a leadership role in the geological field and develop partnerships with Central, State and other institutions, to help create enhanced executional capability and capacity in the field of geology in furtherance of GSI's Vision and the objectives of this Charter. 3 | P a g e Geological Survey of India 6. Coordinate geoscientific activities with stakeholders in all sectors related to geosciences in order to help sustainably manage our natural resources, including water. 7. Conduct multidisciplinary as well as fundamental Geoscientific research and studies (including Geotechnical investigations, physical, chemical and biological hazard investigations, climate change geo-studies, palaeo-geostudies etc.), and foster partnerships with State and Central research and academic institutions for the purpose. 8. Actively participate in international collaborative projects to improve our understanding of the earth and its ecosystem and its geology, including studies related to tectonics, global warming and climate change, and Polar studies. 9. Generally, advance the cause of the geosciences by documentation, propagation, archiving and education, including creation and management of museums, monuments and parks, archives, libraries and other facilities for use of students, researchers and the public. In particular, constantly endeavor to popularize Geoscience at school and university levels through production and dissemination of high quality audio-visual and printed material, and through the medium of the Internet. Also hold exhibitions and special events to bring geoscientific concepts before the public. 1.4 Organisational Structure: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) formerly a subordinate office of the Ministry of Mines till 17th June 2009, thereafter, considering its exclusive dedication towards scientific nature of work, it was declared an attached office to the Ministry of Mines. Accordingly, the organizational structure of GSI has been re-oriented into Mission – Region Hybrid Matrix (Fig. 1.2). As per the recommendations of the High Powered Committee (HPC) set up by the Ministry of Mines, the activities of GSI are being executed through its geoscientific activities under five Missions (Table. 1). The Director General as the operational head of the GSI has the overall responsibility of planning and execution of programmes of the organization. To ensure smooth planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes, the DG, GSI is supported by HAG/SAG level officers, in-charge of Policy Support System (PSS), Administrative Support System (AdSS), Scientific & Technical (S&T) Support System (STSS), Finance, Personnel, Mission Heads of I, II, III, IV & V (Fig. 1.2). 4 | P a g e Geological Survey of India Fig. 1.2.