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
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Fig. 1.2. GSIs Mission – Region- Support Systems
GSI’s Annual Programmes have been executed on Mission-Region Hybrid matrix since 2009- 10. The details of the five Missions and three Support Systems are given below:
Table. 1. Activities of the Five Missions and Three Support Systems are as follows Mission/ Support Components/Activities System Mission-IA & IB: Geological Mapping with the aid of Remote Sensing & Baseline Geoscience Photogeology, Specialised Thematic Mapping, Geochemical Data generation Mapping, Geophysical Mapping, Remote Sensing & Airborne Survey, Marine & Coastal Surveys. Mission-II: Natural Mineral Resource Assessment for exploration of Ferrous, Non- Resources Ferrous, Precious, Strategic, Industrial, Fertilizer minerals etc.; Assessment Exploration for coal including lignite and shale gas (Natural Energy Resources), Geothermal energy Mission-III: Map compilation and Publication on various earth science Geoinformatics subjects, Database creation, Data integration, Information Technology, GSI Portal, I.T. Infrastructure & Connectivity, Libraries Mission-IV: Geotechncial, Geohazards management, environmental, landslide Fundamental & studies, earthquake geology and seismology, climate change, Multidisciplinary environmental geology, glacial, desert geological studies. Geosciences and Research work on fundamental geoscience, Arctic and Antarctic Special studies studies Mission-V: Training & Human Resource Development,
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Capacity building Training Scientific & Technical Modernization, Analytical Chemistry and the Chemical Laboratory (S & T) Support Network, Capital Assets Procurement and Management, Drilling & System Workshop, Transport, Survey, Core Library Administrative Finance, Personnel, Legal Cell, HRD, Parks and Museums, Estates Support System Policy Support Planning & Monitoring, Science Policy & Coordination, CGPB System Secretariat, Commercial Operations, Geoscience partnerships
2.0 Performance of GSI during 2020-2021: GSI conceives and formulates its geoscientific programmes under five Missions and to ensure smooth planning, coordination, and evaluation of programme. Missions designed as think tanks and are responsible for synthesizing core activities, giving major guidelines and targets to the Regions and State Units, coordinating, monitoring performances, and giving sectoral scientific and technical reports. Regions execute the programmes and function as semi-autonomous, once their programme for the year accepted and the funds provided. The five Missions are as follows: Mission-I : Baseline Geoscience Data generation (Mission IA – Ground & Marine Surveys; Mission IB – Remote Sensing & Aerial Surveys) Mission-II : Natural Resource Assessment Mission-III: Geoinformatics Mission-IV: Fundamental & Multidisciplinary Geosciences and Special Studies Mission-V: Training & Capacity building The highlights on the activity under each mission are mentioned below in detail:
2.1 Baseline Geoscience Data Generation: 2.1.1 Mission-IA & IB activities: Baseline Geoscience Data Generation The entire land mass of India is having 3.287 million km2 area distributed over 5112 toposheets which is covered by hard rocks, soft rocks, soil and alluvium. Out of the total landmass of the country, barring some disputed areas, about 3.146 million km2 area is mappable. The Systematic Geological Mapping (SGM) on 1:50,000/63,360 scale is the most fundamental and basic mapping programme carried out by Geological Survey of India during the last few decades to cover the mappable part of entire country. This knowledge base has been providing the baseline data to earth science related socio-economic activities and programmes of the nation. Out of the total mappable area of 3.146 million sq.km of the country, some inaccessible terrains of North Eastern parts of the country in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya (bordering Bangladesh); mountainous terrains of the Northern Himalayas in the states of Jammu & Kashmir and
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Uttarakhand; Jarwa / Sentelenes inhabited islands of Andaman & Nicobar; and Abujhmar Plateau of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra have not been covered by SGM. However, during FS 2016-17 and 2017-18, GSI took up remote sensing aided geological mapping programmes on 1:50,000 scale in the uncovered inaccessible areas with limited field check and an area of 19,580 sq. km has been completed in the gap areas of the Northern and North-Eastern India bringing a total coverage of 3.119 million sq.km by Systematic Geological Mapping which is around 99.15% of the total mappable area of the country. GSI launched specialized theme oriented large-scale Specialized Thematic Mapping (STM) on 1:25,000 or larger scales from VIII plan period onwards. In STM field data is complemented by precision laboratory studies and has great application in finding new target areas for prognostication of natural resources; risk management, land use management, environmental analysis etc. This integrated geo-scientific study helps resolving many of the geological ambiguities and problems and opens up new avenues for future investigations. A total of 3.49 lakh sq. km area has been covered till March, 2021 since the initiation of STM. The National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM) initiated in 2001-02 to generate baseline geochemical database on 1:50,000 scale to identify prospective areas for probable mineral occurrences as well as for soil fertility assessment, human/animal health, and in establishing environmental baseline of geochemical parameters. The main objective of the NGCM is to create a seamless geochemical base map on 1:50,000 scale of different elements for the entire country where the main medium of sampling is fluvial/stream sediment or slope wash material in 1km x 1km or 2km x 2km cells depending on the various terrain conditions of the country. Composite samples from these cells are subjected to analyses for 62 elements to derive anomalous zone/s of elemental concentration after interpretation. Out of Total 31.46 lakh sq. Km mappable area of the country, a total of about 13.56 lakh sq. km area has been covered till March, 2021 since the initiation of NGCM programme. National Geophysical Mapping (NGPM) programme was initiated in field season (FS) 2002- 03. The objective of this project is to generate basic and derived maps of Bouguer Anomaly and IGRF corrected magnetic total field maps of the country by conducting ground gravity and magnetic surveys on 1: 50,000 scale with an approximate observation density of one station in 2.5 sq. km. The maps thus produced provide information about crustal architecture and tectonics at the same time capable of providing information regarding litho-units and structure which can host mineralization. The gravity – magnetic anomaly maps are helpful in identification of potential areas of interest from mineral exploration point of view in both shallow and deeper levels. A total of about 9.50 lakh sq. km area has been covered till March, 2021 since the initiation of National Geophysical Mapping. During, FS 2020-21, Total 59 programmes for mineral investigation have been launched as an outcome of STM, NGCM, NGPM and Aerial Survey programmes of Mission-I. Airborne Survey The aero-geophysical surveys considered as the comprehensive science to scan large areas in limited time to tap the concealed mineral resources. Therefore, it imperative to cover pan India by aero geophysical survey for intensifying exploration activities to meet the ever- growing need of the industry. GSI embarked on aero-geophysical journey on the year 1967
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under the project Operation Hard Rock (OHR) and emerged as a unique Geological Institute with Ground, Air and Marine wing. The Airborne Geophysical Surveys are being carried out by the Twin Otter Airborne Survey System (TOASS) with Magnetic and Gamma Ray Spectrometric sensors acquired by GSI in 1986 (Fig. 2.1). Since, 2009-10, a total of 2,62,211 line km over an area of 2,37,457 sq.km. was covered by deploying multi sensor systems.
During FS 2019-20, TOASS survey over Banswara-Udaipur area, parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh was carried out and a total area of 42,993 line km was covered till March 2020. The main objective was to carryout aero-geophysical surveys over the uncovered parts of Rajasthan to delineate mineral potential areas for detailed mineral investigation. Based on the inference drawn from aeromagnetic signatures, spectrometric anomalies and geological evidences, four probable target areas have been demarcated which are favourable for mineralization.
Fig. 2.1 Twin Otter Airborne Survey System (TOASS) being operated by GSI.
Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technique in Exploration: Photo Geology and Remote Sensing (PGRS) division of GSI is mainly involved in alteration mineral mapping based on multispectral ASTER data and generation of spectral signatures of different litho-units and minerals since 2010. The potential of space borne Hyperion data was attempted only in very few areas because of its limited spatial coverage, data availability and poor signal to noise ratio. As on December, 2020, about 10% of the OGP area has been covered with an area of 53,000 Sq. Km. The data generated by hyperspectral study is useful for generation of surface mineral map and target the alteration zones potential for mineral exploration. During FS 2020-21, GSI has taken up mapping of alteration/ mineralized zones on 1:50,000 scale using Multispectral and Hyperspectral remote sensing data and spectroradiometer
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covering 11,984 sq. km in potential areas of Udaipur, Pali and Rajsamand districts, Bhinder- Kaduni-Udpur And Badi Sadri Area, in Rajasthan; Sadur and Penakacherla schist belt, Chitradurga schist belt, Karnataka; Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh and Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh; Gaya, Nalanda and Jehanabad districts, Bihar; Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh and Jhansi district, Uttar Pradesh; Bhandara and Gondia districts of Maharashtra and Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh; Gondia district of Maharashtra and Bhalaghat district of Madhya Pradesh with the objective of delineating alteration zones associated with mineralization and building up of spectral library for different litho-units in these areas. The integration of all Geo scientific data (Geology, Aero-geophysical, Geophysical, Geochemical and Remote sensing) in GIS platform and its modelling for predictive mapping for mineral potential areas is also included in the hyperspectral study for potential area identification. As a part of the MoU with National Remote Sensing Centre- Indian Space Research Organisation (NRSC-ISRO), two projects have been taken up in FS 2020-21. One of the projects is on utilisation of Advanced Visible Infra-Red Imaging Spectrometer-Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG) hyperspectral data by the scientists of GSI and ISRO to detect surface signatures of mineralization in 14 promising areas (Fig. 2.2) in different parts of country in three years. Six promising areas falling under the purview of MoU, namely Udaipur-Zawar & Bhukia, Rajasthan; Ambaji, Gujarat; Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh; Wajrakarur, Andhra Pradesh; Tundi, Jharkhand and another promising area Gadag, Karnataka have been taken up covering total area of 3694 sq. km, with an objective to prepare surface mineral map/ alteration mineral map/updated host rock map, identify potential areas for mineral exploration and develop spectral library for rocks and minerals of the study areas. The other project is rock phosphate mapping in Jhabua area in Madhya Pradesh covering an area of 850 sq. km.
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Fig. 2.2 Sites under MoU between GSI & NRSC (ISRO)
Multi-sensor Aero-geophysical surveys over Obvious Geological Potential (OGP) and Adjoining areas of India Multi-sensor aerogeophysical survey is being considered as a vital tool to scan large areas to demarcate favourable geological environments for concealed and deep seated mineral resources in the form of regional survey. National Airborne Geophysical Mapping Program (NAGMP) with magnetic gradiometry and radiometric surveys has been taken up by GSI in 2017, to acquire uniform aerogeophysical data initially over the areas of Obvious Geological Potential (OGP) followed by coverage of the whole country in phase-wise manner. The project is being funded by National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET). This will ultimately enhance the exploration activities in the country and attract investments in the mineral sector.
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The main objectives of the NAGMP survey are: • Generating countrywide uniform basic aerogeophysical databases of both magnetic and radiometric data for the users and stake holders engaged in mineral exploration activities within a short span of time. • To quickly identify areas to be taken up for more detailed heliborne surveys with the ultimate aim of prognostication of high mineral potential areas. • Identification of concealed mineral potential target zones and geological features to facilitate enhancement of mineral exploration in the country and also attract foreign investments in the mineral sector. In the Phase-I of NAGMP, around 0.778 million Sq. Km area, divided into 12 OGP Blocks (Fig. 2.3), was planned to be covered with a uniform survey specifications viz traverse line spacing of 300m, control line spacing of 3000m at an altitude of 80m above ground level (AGL) and the aircraft speed of 65-85 m/s. Till March 2021, total 0.269 million sq. km area was covered against the target of 0.778 million sq. km in five blocks.
The Project Implementing Agencies [PIAs] have been selected through global tendering. First phase of the survey, in four OGP Blocks (Block 1-4) covering 1,80,527 sq. km in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra has been completed. Based on this data, about 110 target areas for exploration or search for minerals has been delineated. As a follow up, total 14 reconnaissance project including 1 Regional Mineral Targeting on molybdenum, basemetal, REE, phosphorite, diamond etc. are under execution in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The acquired data has also been shared with NMDC for diamond exploration activities in Madhya Pradesh.
The survey over OGP Block-11, covering parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, was completed in March 2020 and covered an area of 87,429 Sq. Km. The identified mineral potential target zones will be taken up for the follow-up (detailed) surveys by deploying suitable heliborne sensors (electromagnetic, gravity, gravity gradiometry, magnetic gradiometry, radiometric, etc.) and/or ground surveys for delineating potential mineral target zones.
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Fig. 2.3 Location map of OGP Blocks 1 to 12.
2.1.2 Marine & Coastal Surveys: Marine & Coastal Survey Division: Marine and Coastal Surveys (M&CS) of GSI with its Headquarters at Mangalore functions through its operational offices at Kolkata (ER), Mangalore, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Chennai (SR) to undertake seabed survey in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India and beyond, in Territorial Water (TW) and coastal studies along eastern and western coastal tracts of India. GSI has a fleet of three ocean going vessels. R V Samudra Ratnakar, which carries out survey in the EEZ and beyond while R V Samudra Kaustubh and R V Samudra Shaudhikama carry out survey within Territorial Waters. Based on GSI's survey and exploration with its research vessels, scientific program
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proposals are being planned and executed regularly to meet the data and knowledge gaps in offshore survey. GSI acquires baseline data on bathymetry [sea bottom topography], sea surface sediment distribution, gravity, magnetic, etc. within the EEZ of India. Reconnaitory seabed mapping completed for an area of 20,17,787 sq. km out of the total EEZ area of 23,05,143 sq. km including 1,43,385 sq. km within the Territorial Waters (TW), till January 2021. GSI has been carrying out this survey with its own research vessels.
GSI also carries out focused mineral investigations and deep sea multichannel seismic surveys in identified target areas. During the last seven years (since its inception in 2013) a total of 1,95,699 sq.km area was surveyed by R.V Samudra Ratnakar (Fig. 2.4a), for preliminary mineral investigation for Lime Mud, Fe-Mn encrustation (Fig. 2.4b), hydrothermal minerals and Phosphorite/ phosphatic sediments within the EEZ. A total of 51 cruises have been taken up till January 2021, to cover 33.21 % of the total conceptualised Offshore Prospective Area (OPA) of 5,89,160 sq.km, for focused explorations of the above said commodities.
Fig. 2.4 (a) R.V Samudra Ratnakar, (b) Fe-Mn crust and nodules, Andaman Sea Based on cut-off >80% CaCO3 and basin thickness of limemud/limes and sediment column >5m, GSI could delineate 4530 sq.km. High Potential Area within the Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Gujarat and Maharashtra. Reconnoitory survey by GSI could identify occurrence of lime mud bearing sediments from 650 sq. km area off Pudimadaka in the North Andhra coast. Fe-Mn crust/nodules that host Co, REE (Rare Earth Elements), Pt, Ni, Zn, Ba, etc. occurring off Sewell Seamounts in the Andaman Sea (Fig. 2.4b) including phosphate-potash bearing sediments at places and minor hydrothermal sulphides are also reported. Besides these, phosphate bearing sediments have been reported from isolated mounds and terraces of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Manganese micro nodules and encrustations were identified off Lakshadweep Islands. The occurrence of Gas Hydrates is manifested in the seismic sections by well-developed Bottom Simulating Reflectors (BSR) in Cauvery-Mannar Basin. Calcareous sand has been identified from the coral islands and flanks of Lakshadweep area near Kavaratti etc. Systematic mapping in the Territorial Waters (TW) of India by GSI resulted in identification of significant amount of heavy mineral placer (ilmenite, sillimanite, garnet, monazite, rutile
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and zircon) deposits off southern Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh in the East Coast and off Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Ratnagiri coasts in the West. So far, GSI could delineate approximately 900 sq. km high potential areas in East and West Coast of India, for economically viable placer minerals.
2.2 Mission-II activities: Natural Resource Assessment Over the years, mineral exploration activities of GSI have increased manifold for the sustainable development of the national economy and to meet the increasing demand of various stake holders. GSI has been carrying out ‘reconnaissance survey’ [G4], ‘preliminary exploration’ [G3]. After implementation of MEMC rule 2015, GSI has been mandated to carry out detailed G2-Stage ‘general exploration’ for non-energy minerals. In practice, the resource bearing G2/G3 reports are being handed over to the concerned State Governments for auctioning of mineral concession. Since amendment of MMDR Act, 2015, several resource bearing reports have been handed over to respective State DGMs from time to time for consideration in the process of auction. In the year 2020-21, 23 reports of previous field season have been handed over to respective state governments by March, 2021. As a follow up of NMEP, 2016, GSI had taken up pilot scale project “Uncover (India)” in collaboration with Geoscience Australia (GA) to probe deep-seated and concealed mineral deposits in two transects viz- Northern Transect in Aravalli & Bundelkhand craton and Southern Transect across Western and Eastern Dharwar Craton. Phase-I activities of the project have been completed in March, 2020 and Phase-II activity has been initiated in 2020.
Regional Mineral Targeting projects are also being carried out to identify gap areas for launching standard mineral exploration items with an integrated approach covering large stretches of area (in thousands of sq.km) and to enhance the ideas of mineral systems.
During the year 2020-21, GSI had carried out 216 projects under Natural Resource Assessment. 2.3 Mission-III activities: Geo-informatics GSI has implemented an integrated IT-enablement system - Online Core Business Integrated System (OCBIS) with a goal towards comprehensive data management across its Missions and Support systems. GSI has already started disseminating invaluable geoscientific information through the Portal and Bhukosh, the Geospatial data repository. Through OCBIS, GSI has also initiated a paradigm change in field data collection approach by introducing digital field data collection primarily for the Baseline Data Generation projects from FS 2017-18. The Bhukosh data is available for viewing for public and registered users who can download the data as per dissemination policy. The OCBIS portal which was initiated in 2015-16 became operational since 2017-18. OCBIS portal consist of 29 Modules (4 e-Gov applications, 12 Core Modules and 12 Support Modules) comprising of 125 processes.
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During 2020-21, all field season program were submitted and approved through FSPMIS. The datasets in Enterprise Portal repository are now a storehouse for unpublished progress reports, maps, publications, geophysical datasets, virtual museum artefacts and core library data. During FS 2020-21, total 9 nos. of Publications including 3 nos. of Miscellaneous Publication, 2 nos of Special Publication, 3 nos. Indian Journal of Geosciences -Volume 74, No. 1 to 3 and 1 no. Annual Report of GSI are released. 8 Nos. of Records of GSI-Volume 154 (Pt -2 to 9), 9 nos of Special Publication; 4 nos of Miscellaneous Publication and 1 Memoir (Sakoli Fold Belt from CHQ) and 1 no. Indian Journal of Geosciences Volume 74, No.4 are in different stages of compilation and scrutiny. During FS 2020-21, in all India level the following Map compilation and database collation work were taken up: Compilation of 4 numbers (TS nos 82K, 82H, 83I, 83E) of Geological Quadrangle Maps (first edition) in 1:250,000 scale has been carried out from North Eastern Region. Compilation / database creation of geological maps in 1:25K scale has been carried out in digital format from CR-65 Sheets; NR-64 sheets, SR-90 Sheets. 3 nos of Mineral Belt Maps (Gold (Badampahar-Gorumahisani area), Iron (Singhbhum-Kendujhar-Sundargarhg belt) and Chromite & PGE (Sukinda, West Maulabhanj area from ER) and 1 no MBM (sillimanite in Sonapahar and its adjacent areas, West Khasi Hills and East Garo hills districts, Meghalaya from NER) and 9 nos. MBMs of WR has been carried out. 8 nos. of DRM (Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Wardha, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Amravati and Akola) from Maharashtra; 3 nos. DRM (Pune, Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg) of Maharashtra (Pune); 8 nos. DRM (Kawardha, Mungeli, Bilaspur, Janjgir- Champadistricts, Balod, Dhamtari, Mahasamund and Gariaband from Chhattisgarh; 11 nos. DRM (Sheopur, Dindoni, Singrauli, Niwari, Umariya, Agarmalwa, Katni, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Shahdol, Sidhi) of MP; 2 nos. DRM (Saraikela Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts) of Jharkhand; 4 nos. DRM (Chandel, Churachandpur, Pherzawl and Tengnoupal districts) of Manipur; 15 nos. DRM (Kasganj, Mau, Budaun, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, SantKabir Nagar, Behraich, Deoria, Maharajganj, LakhimpurKheri, Bagpat, Hapur, Amroha, Rampur and Sambhal districts) of UP; 29 nos. DRM of Telangana; . 9 nos. DRM (Ajmer, Alwar, Bharatpur , Dausa, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Pali, Sikar, Sirohi) of Rajasthan are in progress, Geology & Mineral Map of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha are in progress. Seam less geological map of CR (1: 2M) is under progress. Development of Geo-scientific database on fluoride distribution pattern at Warora and Bhadravati areas of Chandrapur and Yeotmal District, Maharashtra from CR is under progress. Creation of smart maps integrating multi thematic spatial and non-spatial data for development of smart city of Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh are carried out from SR. The following projects of map compilation / Database creation have been carried out from M & C Division, GSI, CHQ in FS 2020-21:
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Creation of “NATIONAL GEOSCIENCE DATA REPOSITORY (NGDR)” in GSI is under progress. Synthesis and collation of All India National Geochemical Map (NGCM) data and National Geophysical Map (NGPM) data along with Geological Maps, Geomorphological maps on 1:50K scale for uploading in BhuKosh, OCBIS GeoPortal: Development of Geo-scientific data base on Arsenic distribution pattern at Nakashipara and Tehatta I&II Blocks, Nadia District, West Bengal to understand Arsenic pollution vis- a-vis human manifestation and its remediation / mitigation through spatial data integration modelling approach have been carried out.
Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy 2019 of GSI: GSI an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India utilises public funds for its mandated activities. The value of the data collected or generated through these activities will be better realised when it reaches to the public. The dissemination of data facilitates decision-making by policy makers as well as investors, enabling use of geoscientific information for sustainable socio-economic development of the country. The guiding principles of the present dissemination policy of GSI are based on the guiding principles of National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP, 2012). As per this policy, the baseline geoscience data generated by GSI is being shared through the online portal “BHUKOSH” which is a gateway to all geoscientific Information of GSI (Fig. 2.5). A total of 147 geospatial layers with 12956162 features and 2925 geophysical datasets are available. This is available in the link: https://bhukosh.gsi.gov.in/Bhukosh/Public
Fig. 2.5 BHUKOSH: Gateway to all Geoscientific Information of GSI
2.4 Mission-IV activities: Fundamental & Multidisciplinary Geosciences and Special studies Geological Survey of India (GSI) has its presence in collection of geoscientific data and their synthesis throughout the country as a national geoscientific organisation with a successful record of more than one and half centuries. Vast amounts of data, generated and
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established by the fast pace of geoscientific activities in GSI, is the backbone to develop and sharpen its multidisciplinary research capabilities in the fields like our eco system including natural geo/bio hazards, formation of earth and its extra-terrestrial link, evolution of life, tectonics through deep geology, mineralisation etc. Mission –IV, one of the five missions of GSI has been re-structured to three sub-heads: Mission –IVA has three components, (a) Landslide studies (b) Geodynamic/seismic studies and (c) Engineering Geology/ Geotechnical studies; Mission–IVB is for environmental geology, medical geology, climate study, glaciology & Polar studies; Mission–IVC is for fundamental geoscience research and it has three National Centre of Excellence in Geological Research (NCEGR) at Kolkata (CHQ), Bangalore and Faridabad. Besides, there are laboratories located at different regions/State Units. During FS 2020-21, a total of 166 M-IV items are being executed in GSI. 2.4.1 Mission-IVA: Landslide, Seismic and Engineering geology During FS 2020-21, there are 86 standard items were taken up under this submission. i. Landslide Studies GSI being a nodal agency for landslide studies in India initiated the National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) programme since 2014-15 with an objective to prepare seamless landslide susceptibility map on 1:50,000 scale for 4.28 lakh sq km covering the entire hill areas of the country, spreading over parts of 18 States. Out of 4.28 lakh sq. km of targeted NLSM area, 3.84 Lakh sq. km has been completed till December, 2020 and remaining 0.44 Lakh sq km area will be covered by March, 2022. The NLSM maps and database for 3.58 lakh sq. km have been uploaded in GSI portal’s interactive map service - Bhukosh (www.gsi.gov.in) for public viewing. Geological Survey of India (GSI) is also carrying out Meso-scale (1:10K) studies, site specific landslide studies and slope stability assessment studies with high end instruments on request of the stake holders. GSI also carry out post disaster landslide studies in the hilly states to suggest immediate mitigate measures to avoid further deterioration of the existing slides/slopes. In addition, a research project (RP item) in collaboration with British Geological Survey are being continued to develop a prototype Landslide regional landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) in Darjeeling district, West Bengal and Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu. ii. Seismic Studies The GSD has installed and commissioned 30 permanent GPS stations at Jammu, Agartala, Itanagar, Mangan, Nagpur, Lucknow, Hut bay, (Little Andaman), Jabalpur, Chennai, Shillong, Kolkata, Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Pune, Dehradun, Gandhinagar, Raipur, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Vishakhapatnam, Aizawl, Imphal, Zawar, Faridabad, Mangalore, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Chitradurga. The remaining 5 No of stations at Cooch Behar, Ranchi, North Andaman, Middle Andaman and South Andaman, are in progress.
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In all, at present 30 permanent GPS stations pan-India are active and the obtained data (1Hz and 30Sec RINEX) is being archived in the central server installed at the Geodynamic Studies Division and processed using GAMIT/GLOBK/MATLAB to generate time-series, velocity and intra and inter plate strain models. Seismo-Geodetic Data Receiving and Processing Centre (SGDRPC) is operating real time Seismo-Geodetic Data Receiving and Processing with its Central Receiving Station at CHQ, Kolkata. Installation and data acquisition of Seismo-geodetic observatories was established at Jammu, Agartala, Itanagar, Mangan, Nagpur, Jaipur Lucknow, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Hut bay (Little Andaman), became fully operational. Presently SGDRPC has total 10 seismo-geodetic observatories. Presently the Detailed Seismological studies of Mizoram state and its adjoining areas and regular monitoring, acquisition and processing of seismo- geodetic data in real-time mode is in progress. iii. Engineering Geology (EG) The geotechnical/EG studies have always been a forte of GSI. Numerous mega infrastructure projects have been executed by GSI since decades. GSI’s expertise in geotechnical/EG projects for the construction of major dam/hydal power/reservoir projects of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Afganistan is well known. The projects related to irrigation canals, Road ways, Railways, tunnels etc. are also taken up through MoUs/MoAs/collaborations with various sponsoring agencies. The Engineering Project Evaluation (EPE) Division, DGCO New Delhi is the Appraising agency which evaluates and appraises the “geological and geotechnical Aspects” of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) / Survey and Investigation Reports of major hydroelectric and multi-purpose projects, costing more than 1000 Crore, provided by the developer through Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Following the new Guidelines of DPR appraisal, (Survey and Investigation), geological reports of the 8 Hydroelectric Projects, including 2 multipurpose projects and 1 Pumped Storage Project (PSP), have been received for appraisal during the Field Season Programme 2020-21. Reaffirmation of one Hydro Electric Project (Dugar HEP) has been provided by GSI. Besides, EPE Division also assists CEA in appraising the draft report on Basin-Wise-Re- Assessment of Hydroelectric Potential in India. 2.4.2 Mission-IVB: Glaciology, Quarternary geology, Medical geology, Polar studies and Environment The glaciology projects are mainly dealing with the studies related to health of the glaciers in Higher Himalayas and studies related to evaluation potentially vulnerable areas for high Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) risk areas of Uttarakhand. Polar researches are mainly devoted to Ice Sheet Dynamics both in Arctic and Antarctic with special reference to climate change. GSI is pursuing geological mapping, GPR studies and limnological studies in the Polar Regions for the last many years. The glaciology projects in Antarctica and Arctic regions, taken up by the Polar Studies Division, are carried out mainly to monitor the health of the glaciers and to study the patterns of their recession/advancement, accumulation/ablation and mass balance. The work also encompasses monitoring of the glacier snout and glacier dynamics and attempt to calculate influx and outflow of ice from
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the catchment area of the region. Holocene Climate change studies are also being carried out in Antarctica. In Environmental Geology, researches related to the studies on the mechanisms of influx and mobility of toxic elements like fluoride, arsenic, mercury, lead, other heavy metal pollutants and associability of different groups of toxic elements with finer sediment fractions and water during its transport and deposition in the natural system. A total of 27 items of environmental geology were taken up during FS 2020-21. 2.4.3 Mission-IVC: Fundamental and Multidisciplinary Geoscience and R&D There are three ‘National Centres of Excellence for Geoscience Research’ (NCEGR) in GSI operating from Kolkata, Faridabad and Bengaluru and six regional laboratories which carry out fundamental geo-scientific research in three principal branches of geosciences viz., Petrology, Palaeontology and Geochronology & Isotope Geology as well as catering to the upgradation of the quality of the Mission-I and Mission-II projects. The NCEGRs spearhead high-quality research in diverse fields of geology utilizing state of the art instrumentation and through formation of several expert research groups. Apart from NCEGR, there are Petrology Divisions and Palaeontology Divisions in all the Regions. GSI is carrying out several research projects with an idea to augment the mineral resources of the country. A total of 53 items were taken up under this sub-mission during FS 2020-21. 2.5 Mission-V activities: Training & Capacity Building Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI) was established during 1976 and has been functioning under the Ministry of Mines. During 2018, as per the directive of Ministry of Mines, GSI has taken measures in reducing from 19 to 09 training sites across India. These are 1) Hyderabad, 2) Nagpur, 3) Lucknow, 4) Kolkata, 5) Shillong, 6) Zawar-Jaipur, 7) Chitradurga (Karnataka), 8) Kuju (Jharkhand) and 9) Raipur (Chhattisgarh). Hyderabad Center is designated as Headquarters for all other eight centres and it has specialized Divisions for Laboratory and Classroom trainings. Sl. Nos. 2 to 5 are Regional Training Divisions (RTDs) operating from Hyderabad Headquarters but located at respective Regional Offices. Regional trainings of Southern Region are catered by Hyderabad Center. As a capacity building and human resource development measure, the GSI Training Institute imparts various types of training to the geoscientists of GSI keeping pace with the latest development and trends in earth sciences and priorities of the department. Administrative/Management courses for the departmental personnel are being conducted in collaboration with the reputed Management Institutes of India. Besides, GSI has taken a major initiative in capacity building of the state DGMs, PSU, Universities/Institutions and other earth science organizations of the country. International geoscientists are also being trained in the two fields viz. ‘Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing’ and ‘Geographic Information System’ under the aegis of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) sponsored by Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India. The Institute regularly conducts programmes sponsored by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) as National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) programmes. Besides, GSITI conducted training for officials of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) on payment basis.
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The Training Institute’s core activity remains conducting Induction-level training programmes for Group A and Group B personnel of Geology, Geophysics, Chemistry and Engineering streams. In addition, need-based basic, refresher and advanced courses for in- service scientific and technical personnel are being conducted. With the recent emphasis on skill and capacity development and in consonance with the National Training Policy 2012, the Training Institute has initiated Induction-level training programmes for Administrative and other streams, mid-career training as mandatory promotion-linked programmes for all personnel in the technical and non-technical streams of GSI. During FS 2020-21, one hundred eighty-one courses have been conducted by GSITI including additional courses. In all these programmes, 5201 participants from GSI, 551 from various State DGMs, 14025 from other organizations including various universities, PSUs etc. aggregating to 19777 participants were trained till March, 2021. In association with National Mission-II of GSI, GSITI has conducted National Workshop on Critical Minerals, its Geological Potentiality and Expanding the Critical Mineral Deposit Discovery Space in the Country – 2020 in accordance with National and departmental priority.
3.0 Collaborative Projects with Other Organisations: A total of 14 collaborative programs have been taken up during the year 2020 with Indian Navy; Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL); Directorate of Mines, Govt. of Odisha; Calcutta University; Central Ground Water Board; Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Govt. of Jharkhand; RVNL, Rishikesh; CSIR-NGRI; DGM, Maharashtra; Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) etc.
4.0 Science & Technical Support System: Science & Technology Support System (STSS) deal with all scientific and technical infrastructures and overall management of geological, geophysical and chemical laboratory networks. Transport and monitoring of the operation & maintenance of vehicles of GSI in all Regions and CHQ supervised under Head, STSS. Head STSS also supervise and coordinate the Asset Procurement & Management Support System in conformity to the directives from Central Procurement Committee for Geosciences in GSI.
4.1 Analytical Chemistry: Chemical Analysis is an integral part of the curriculum of geological science. The Central Chemical Laboratory, CHQ, GSI, Kolkata plays a vital role by way of providing highly précised & accurate analytical data for all the samples generated under various FSP based projects, NGCM Programme, Mineral Investigations, Fundamental Research etc. The analysis of major, minor and trace elements are being carried out by the modern sophisticated and state-of-the art instruments like ICP-MS, XRF, AAS, DMA-80, ISE, etc. R & D works are also carried out for developing and standardising the methodologies for the determination of
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various elements under different packages of NGCM programme taking care of the required LLD values. Continued efforts for refinement of existing analytical methodologies are being made in commensurate with the requirement of various investigation projects of the department.
The GSI Chemical Laboratories (Fig. 4.1) with its large infrastructure constituting with 20 laboratories (CHQ, Regional headquarters: 6, Operational units: 10 and Marine Wings: 3) located in almost all the states of the country is playing key supportive role for the successful completion of various time bound approved programmes/ projects particularly the prestigious NGCM project, mineral exploration, environmental studies, fundamental geo-scientific studies, etc. as given below:
Fig. 4.1 Chemical laboratories of GSI at CHQ, Regional Headquarters, Operational Units and Marine Wings
Major Activities of Chemical Laboratories: Analysis of NGCM, Mineral Exploration, Mineral Investigation, Environmental & Marine samples. R&D work for development and refinement of methodologies. Research assistance to R&D institutions. Providing analytical facilities to outside agencies. Consultancy services for establishing chemical laboratory providing technical support. Standardization of reference materials globally. Preparation of Reference Materials (in-house standards). Inter-laboratory checking/testing of samples. Imparting training to the newly recruited personnel.
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Central Chemical Laboratory (CCL), GSI, CHQ, Kolkata has been accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, by Government of India (ISO/IEC 17025:2005). The Reassessment of CCL, CHQ, Kolkata, was done in the field of Testing as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 on 18-19th Feb, 2020. The Revised Accreditation Certificate (No. TC- 5833) in the field of TESTING has been issued with issue date 20/03/2020 and valid till 19/03/2022. The Regional Chemical Laboratories (XRF and ICPMS labs.) at NRO, SRO, WRO, CRO and ERO are under the process of Reaccreditation as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The State Unit laboratories like Bhubaneswar, Pune and Chennai are also initiated NABL accreditation as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017. 4.2 Analytical outputs during FS 2019-20: During the period between 1st April, 2019 to 31st March, 2020, all India chemical laboratories of GSI has analysed a total number of 555361 samples with total determination 5594291 of varied nature including NGCM (all packages), Non-NGCM & check samples employing various sophisticated instrumental techniques as well as classical methods. 4.3 Laboratory Network (Other than Chemical): The state-of the-art geological laboratory network of GSI is playing a leading role in the augmentation of the quality of output of all the projects and activities of GSI by effectively supporting the major scientific works under different missions of Geological Survey of India with quality data inputs and guidance. Under the auspices of National Centre of Excellence in Geoscience Research (NCEGR) having main centre at Kolkata and satellite centres at Bangalore and Faridabad, utilization of the laboratory facilities and deployment of available expertise have been optimised for a better and more effective functioning of laboratories. Procurement of new state-of the-art instruments has been planned to augment the strength of the laboratories. EPMA, SEM, XRD, Raman Spectroscope, Gemmology, Fluid inclusion, TL - OSL Dating, Radiocarbon dating, Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS), Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-Q-ICPMS) and Laser Ablation Multi- collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-MC-ICPMS) laboratories are operating successfully along with basic laboratories such as petrology and palaeontology. The state-of-the-art instrumental facilities of GSI mainly operate under the umbrella of three NCEGRs namely:
(A) National Centre of Excellence in Geoscience Researches (NCEGR), Kolkata
(B) National Centre of Excellence in Geoscience Researches (NCEGR), Bengaluru
(C) National Centre of Excellence in Geoscience Researches (NCEGR), Faridabad
5.0 Administrative Support System: Administrative Support System (AdSS) supervise all administrative matters, except finance, and work as an administrative arm of DG, GSI and look after activities pertaining to
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Personnel, HRD, Legal Cell, Libraries, Parks and Museums, Estates. AdSS also deal with all Human Resource Development functions and Training Needs Assessment (TNA) of GSI.
5.1 Human Resources: Human Resource (HR) division of GSI works to create a mechanism that can continuously identify, nurture, and enhance the capabilities of available resources and execute proper deployment within the framework of extant Transfer Policy of GSI and DoPT guidelines issued from time to time. The transfer/posting of Gazetted officers was made in different levels in almost all streams through a proper Collegium composition keeping in view of specialization of geoscientists and man power requirement of each associated office for implementation of field season programmes. Knowing the expertise and specialization of any employee definitely makes human resources management easier and effective. In order to do so, a master data set was prepared for all the officers of the technical streams and their specializations were updated regularly.
The total sanctioned (cabinet approved) personnel strength of GSI is 12,189. The present filled-in strength as on 31.05.2021 is 5859. The stream/cadre-wise sanctioned and filled-in strength of various streams in GSI as on 31.05.2021 is shown in the Table 5.1.
Table: 5.1 STATUS OF SANCTIONED & FILLED IN STRENGTH OF VARIOUS STREAMS IN GSI AS ON 31.05.2021 S& T Stream Sanctioned strength Filled in Strength Gr-A Gr-B Gr - C Total Gr-A Gr-B Gr - C Total (incl. (incl. N/G) N/G) Geology 2636 660 150 3446 1911 296 55 2262 Geophysics 525 220 70 815 312 24 21 357 Chemistry 509 315 150 974 286 100 58 444 Engineering 90 416 744 1250 67 112 168 347 TOTAL (a) 3760 1611 1114 6485 2576 532 302 3410 Other Stores 9 226 240 475 3 130 51 184 Streams Survey 31 319 - 350 20 59 - 79 Drawing - 118 50 168 - 65 11 76 Transport - 40 760 800 - 36 120 156 Finance 33 30 - 63 15 8 - 23 Personnel 52 646 595 1293 28 482 373 883 Stenography 2 250 90 342 1 93 16 110
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Misc. 13 200 2000 2213 9 106 823 938 TOTAL (b) 140 1829 3735 5704 76 979 1394 2449
TOTAL 3900 3440 4849 12189 2652 1511 1696 5859 (a+b)
In order to maintain transparency in the work, grievance of officers were redressed promptly and replies to the RTI applications were furnished with suitable documents. While doing work, special care was taken to use Rajbhasa–Hindi in almost all sorts of correspondences. 5.2 Geological Monuments & Parks: Curatorial Division of GSI promotes dissemination of multidisciplinary geoscientific activities of GSI through participation in exhibitions across the country. The Division imparts in-house training on ‘Identification of common rocks & minerals’ to undergraduate students of different educational institutes and deals with the proposal for new geological heritage sites in the country.
GSI identified and declared 32 sites throughout the country as National Geological Monuments to focus attention on such marvels of nature and to protect and preserve these sites for posterity.
The proposal for declaration of Zinc Smelting Site at Zawar, Udaipur District as Geological Heritage site is under process. Establishment of Geological Park at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh: A team of officers has been constituted to evaluate the possibility of establishing Park at Jabalpur. A final concept note on proposed Geological Park at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh has been prepared. 5.3 Museums: The Curatorial Division also maintains fossil repository and facilitates research study of GSI type fossils by National and International scientists/ research scholars of different institutes. Three geological galleries viz. Siwalik Fossil Gallery, Invertebrate Fossil Gallery, Rock & Mineral Gallery in Indian Museum, Kolkata displaying exhibits of rock, mineral and fossil; models and maps with illustrations are maintained by Curatorial Division. These galleries are kept open for public viewing and the regular upkeep and maintenance of these galleries is also carried out by the Division. Enriching galleries of Raiyoli Museum, Balasinor Taluk, Gujarat: The Raiyoli Museum, a great pride of Gujarat, is a venture of Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL), a Govt. of Gujarat undertaking, with a State-of-art display of the exhibits and information. Based on the request received from Shri Vijay Rupani, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Gujarat to Ministry of Mines, GSI handed over the spare fossil of Dinosaur bones
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and eggs for display in Raiyoli Museum, Balasinor Taluk, Mahisagar District, Gujarat. The selected fossils of Dinosaur bones /eggs was handed over to TCGL in October, 2019 for display in Raiyoli Museum by Western Region, Jaipur.
Establishment of State Level Geo-science Museum at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh:
Curatorial Division of GSI is actively engaged in establishing Geoscience Museum at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh as approval accorded by Ministry of Mines (MoM), Government of India. Presently Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC), Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh is carrying out civil works at the proposed site i.e Victoria building for establishment of Gwalior Geoscience Museum.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GSI and National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India was signed on 16th January, 2019 for taking up the work for designing, development, fabrication, installation and commissioning of Gwalior Geoscience Museum at Victoria building, Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh as per the approved Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Gwalior Geoscience Museum. 6.0 Policy Support System: Policy Support System (PSS) acts as the Technical Secretariat of the DG, GSI. The main objective of PSS is to implement and monitor the execution of the broad policy guidelines issued time to time by the Government of India, in the geology and mining sectors, through various Missions and Regions of GSI. PSS is also responsible in formulating need based policies and guidelines for the improvement of overall functioning of GSI. In fact, PSS has been assigned the responsibility to bridge the link between GSI and Government of India through MoM. As per the organogram of GSI, PSS is operational through three major functional domains (Fig. 6.1) located at Kolkata known as PSS – P&M and IA & IGC and other at Delhi known as DGCO, Delhi.
Fig. 6.1 Three Functioning Domains of Policy Support System
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6.1 Policy Support System - Planning and Monitoring (PSS-P&M): The Policy Support System-Planning and Monitoring (PSS-P&M), with its seven different Planning and Monitoring Divisions [P&M-1 to 7; Fig. 6.2], is the principal workforce of DG’s Secretariat at Kolkata. The PSS-P&M acts in the domains of policy formulation, policy dissemination, translating the decisions of different committees viz. SGPB, CGPB Committees, in the Annual Programme. It sets out the annual programme clearly defining the objectives, physical parameters, timelines of various activities, the infrastructural/resource requirements, and clearly defined measurable midterm and final outcome of the project. The monitoring role of the Divisions comprises monitoring implementation of annual programme, standardization of formats for reporting progress, suggesting mid-course corrections at Mission level, if required and changes required in different parameters on which project was initially outlined. It is also responsible for initiating follow-up action required for continuing the programme and monitoring the quality assessment of the project. The PSS-P&M oversees the activities in various mineral commodities, mapping and specialized investigations. PSS-P&M also maintains the database of various National Scale Programme viz. Geological Mapping and NGCM, NGPM etc. at CHQ. It is also mandated with the task of creation of database of GSI exploration blocks. Norms and guidelines for field activities, e.g., Airborne Surveys, Engineering Geology, Landslide Hazard, Earthquake Geology, Marine Geology, Environmental Geology, Desert Geology, Geothermal, Glaciology, Medical Geology, Geophysical and Geochemical mapping etc. are set up and periodic progress monitored. Interactions and liaison with all other agencies involved in earth-science activities related to various geoscientific matters are maintained from this Secretariat. The PSS P&M division works in close co-ordination with respective National Missions and Regions of GSI for implementation of Govt. policies and guidelines.
Fig. 6.2 Sub-domains of Policy Support System-Planning & Monitoring 6.2 Central Geological Programming Board [CGPB]: To ensure synergy and close co-ordination between GSI, stakeholder Ministries/ Organizations and State Geological Departments, a mechanism was evolved for formulation and detailing of the programmes in the Geological Survey of India in particular and earth science arena in India as a whole. This would avoid duplication of work in different earth
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science organizations. The principal mechanism for this is the Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB). The CGPB was established through Government of India Resolution dated 27 July, 1966. It was primarily constituted to co-ordinate activities on geological mapping and mineral prospecting, exploration and exploitation in the country, with the GSI as the nodal department and the State Geology and Mining Departments and Central Government institutions as the participating members. Subsequently, to complement the activities of the CGPB, State Geological Programming Boards (SGPB) were constituted in the States to co-ordinate geoscience activities within the State and to interface with the CGPB and GSI. As per National Mineral Policy (NMP), 2008 GSI was declared the principal agency for geological mapping and regional mineral resources assessment of the country. With the emergence of a large number of newly established Central and State level organizations as well as research institutions in the scientific sector necessitate revamping of the CGPB mechanism. Accordingly the CGPB was revamped through a Resolution No. 4[2]97-M.I dated 12 March, 2009, wherein it is the trustee of GSI's new Charter. The CGPB is now supported by 12 Committees for the various themes. GSI while formulating its annual programme pays utmost importance in the recommendations of the CGPB Committees and SGPB meetings to the extent possible subject to availability of resources. The status of SGPB Meetings for the year 2020-21 is given below. Status of SGPB Meeting for the year 2020-2021
Sl.No. Name of State Date of Meeting Minutes Received Status 1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Arunachal Pradesh 09.09.20 Yes 3. Assam Conducted through Yes email circulation 4. Bihar 22.02.21 Yes 5. Chhattisgarh 07.10.20 Yes 6. Goa 7. Gujarat 14.12.20 Yes 8. Haryana 01.12.20 Yes 9. Himachal Pradesh 02.12.20 10. Jammu and Kashmir 28.12.20 Yes 11. Jharkhand 18.08.20 & 28.01.21 Yes 12. Karnataka 04.01.21 Yes 13. Kerala 19.10.20 Yes 14. Madhya Pradesh 20.08.20 Yes 15. Maharashtra 24.09.20 Yes 16. Manipur 10.09.20 Yes 17. Meghalaya 21.08.20 Yes 18. Mizoram 18.09.20 Yes 19. Nagaland 11.09.20 Yes 20. Odisha 02.09.20 Yes
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21. Punjab 14.12.20 22. Rajasthan 18.02.21 Yes 23. Sikkim 15.09.20 Yes 24. Tamil Nadu 25.08.20 Yes 25. Telangana 26. Tripura 08.02.21 Yes 27. Uttar Pradesh 18.11.20 Yes 28. Uttarakhand 17.02.21 Yes 29. West Bengal 27.02.20 Yes
The 12 CGPB committee meetings have been conducted during 2020-21. 6.3 Activities in the International arena The international activities of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) was continued in FS 2020- 21 by way of interaction with international scientific organizations/bodies and foreign agencies through active involvement in collaborative programmes and scientific projects. During the current period, GSI has been collaborating with other countries for knowledge sharing and technology upgradation and maintained continuous correspondence and communication with Ministry of Mines for exploring possibilities in new areas of cooperation with different countries. Bilateral Collaborative Activities: GSI continued its participation in bilateral cooperation and collaborative programs with other countries on several geoscientific disciplines for mutual benefits. Activities are being taken up as per the signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with various countries. (i). Existing MoUs a) Geoscience Australia (GA) GSI has signed an MoU with GA on Scientific and Technical Cooperation on 01.09.2015 for five years. In pursuance of the MoU, a Terms of Reference (TOR) was signed in 2016 for preparing short term and long term roadmaps for capacity building and technological upgradation of GSI. The TOR was re-examined and new schedule was formulated. Its extension to April 2020 was signed in 2018. As a part of TOR, a series of discipline-based workshops have been organized out. Five workshops and two secondments under TOR have been completed so far. The extension of ToR is under process with the objectives of getting the scientific feedback on API (acquisition, processing and interpretation) of Deep Seismic Reflection Survey (DSRS) data and Magneto Telluric (MT) survey data. b) British Geological Survey (BGS) GSI and BGS had signed an MoU on 01.08.2017 for cooperation in the field of Earth Sciences, Mineral Prospecting and Disaster Management which is valid up to 31.7.2021. Under the ambit of MoU, a project for International Research Collaboration for Landslide Risk Reduction in India has been taken up. Physical scientists, engineers and social scientists
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from nine organizations in the UK, Italy and India are collaborating to improve the assessment of landslide risk, early warning systems and the preparedness for local communities likely to be affected by landslide hazards in India. The project aims to help to save lives, safeguard livelihoods and protect the local economy of vulnerable landslide- prone communities in India. An Implementing Arrangement (IA) on project LANDSLIP was signed on 1.8.2017 and as per IA, BGS is providing full funding to GSI officers for fellowship to UK/ Italy for data modelling and synthesis under ‘Visiting Researchers for Knowledge Exchange Programme’ for capacity building and technological upgradation of GSI. As per the IA, a four (04) year project under landslide multi-hazard risk assessment, preparedness and early warning in South Asia, by integrating meteorology, landscape and society (LANDSLIP) has been launched, to develop a prototype Landslide Early Warning system in two selected study areas in 1) Darjeeling district of West Bengal and 2) Nilgiri District in Tamil Nadu. LANDSLIP is a multi-consortium project taken up by BGS through Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). GSI was associated in the landscape dynamics along with BGS and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Italy. GSI officers visited BGS, United Kingdom (U.K.) and CNR, Italy for training and scientists from BGS and CNR also visited GSI for providing training and co-development of the models and outputs. GSI has developed operational models of Landslide Forecast and Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) for the study areas of Darjeeling and Nilgiri districts in India with help of BGS and CNR- Italy. c) Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) An MoU was signed on 7.4.2017 for a period of 5 years between GSI and Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) on mutual scientific cooperation in the field of Earth Sciences for Research and Development. The First Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting of GSI-GSB collaboration was held at Dhaka April, 2018, where joint field activities in both the countries, exchange of knowledge in Quaternary geology, environmental studies, mineral resource development, engineering geology, urban geology, geo-heritage, marine and coastal studies, collaborative research publication, and training of geoscientists were discussed. Accordingly, a concept notes on ‘Landslide Susceptibility Mapping’ and the scope of collaborative works in terms of marine research were sent to GSB for acceptance/comments from Bangladesh end. The response from GSB is awaited. d) Geological Survey of Brazil- CPRM GSI has signed an MoU with Geological Survey of Brazil -CPRM, Brazil on cooperation in the field of Geology and Mineral Resources on 25.01.2020 for five years. The Correspondence was made with CPRM, Brazil for identifying potential areas of cooperation. Accordingly, the first Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting under Memorandum of understanding (MoU) between GSI and CPRM, Brazil was held at Khanij Kaksha, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi on e- platform on 12th November 2020 under the Chairmanship of Shri Upendra C. Joshi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Co-chairmanship of Dr. Ranjit Rath, Director General, GSI & CMD of MECL. Dr. Maria Glicia da Nobrega Coutinho, Head of International Affairs Office, Chaired the meeting from Brazil side. During the meeting, mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise between two organizations in the field of REE-Critical-Strategic mineral
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exploration, Natural hazards, Marine Geology and Training and Capacity building in different spheres of Geology was agreed as initial step under the collaboration. To execute the same, it has also been decided that four subgroups / ‘domain experts’ team will be identified from each side. e) Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Finland An MoU between the GSI, Ministry of Mines of the Republic of India and the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Finland was signed on 3rd December, 2020 on e-platform under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ranjit Rath, Director General, GSI & CMD of MECL from GSI side and Mr. Mika Nykänen, Director General, GTK Finland from Finland side. The MOU envisages cooperation in the field of Geology and Mineral Resources for an initial period of five years. The MoU is expected to provide the exchange of knowledge and learning experience of two organizations in the field of different fields of Geology. After MoU singing ceremony, an online webinar through presentation of lectures from both sides was also conducted (3rd December 2020) for knowledge sharing on different geological fields and methodologies by both the organizations. f) Geotechnical Consultancy Services Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been rendering geotechnical consultancy services for various hydroelectric projects of Nepal and Bhutan. i. Bhutan GSI has been providing geotechnical consultancy services for Punatsangchu-I and II, Kuri- Gongri Hydroelectric Projects, Bhutan as per request from WAPCOS under the MoU. Preparation of fresh MoU regarding these three Projects, has been initiated and is under process with WAPCOS as the earlier MoUs are lapsed. ii. Nepal An MoU between GSI and SJVN Ltd. was signed on 16th June, 2020 on construction Stage Geotechnical Services for Arun-III Hydroelectric Project (HEP), Nepal for an initial period of one year. Under this MoU, GSI agreed to provide technical consultancy for Arun-III HEP as per the requirement of SJVN Ltd. Two internal meetings of Joint Team Experts (JTE) related to Sapta Kosi and Sun Kosi Multipurpose Projects, Nepal were attended by one officer on 10.02.2020 and 18.06.2020 respectively. (ii) International Workshops/ Seminars/ Symposiums/ Exhibitions Two officers participated in the “International Workshop on Advanced Spatial Analytics and Deep Learning for Geospatial Applications”, held from January 20 to 31, 2020, at NIAS Campus, Bengaluru for enhancing the knowledge in field of GIS applications. One officer participated in the International Workshop on Assessment and Mitigation of Landslides in the Himalaya, during March 13 – 14, 2020, organised by Wadia Institute of
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Himalayan Geology, Dehradun. The main aim was to enhance the knowledge in modern approaches used in landslide studies.
7.0 Drill Core Repository: Drilling operations are employed extensively for collecting subsurface lithological, structural and mineralization information to ascertain 3D geometry of geological domains. The drill cores are source of valuable data on geological set up and, therefore, is a treasure of immense information that can be used for establishing a generalized stratigraphic sequence of the area as well as solving stratigraphic problems; searching for mineralization and establishing 3D model of ore deposits; paleontological studies; geohazard studies; for feasibility studies before engineering construction like dams, tunnels, roads etc. The Geological Survey of India has been actively engaged in drilling operations for more than a century for minerals in the energy sector as well as base metals, precious metals, fertilisers, industrial and other minerals. In total, GSI has preserved approximately 180km length of core pertaining to about 350 numbers of projects in different regional core libraries of GSI as well as in semi-permanent structures-built camps of GSI.
8.0 Quality Management Cell of GSI: The High-Powered Committee (HPC), set up by the Govt. of India has recommended that Quality Management (QM) cell may be set up in Geological Survey of India (GSI) to devise quality management procedures for enhancing the quality of services rendered. Subsequently, Ministry of Mines set up a Quality Management Cell in GSI at New Delhi. For the functional requirement, in the year 2016, the activities of Quality Management Cell under DGCO, New Delhi was shifted to PSS-P&M, CHQ Kolkata in 2016. The mandate of QM activity is to devise methodology and various modus operandi in the form of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for improving the quality of services provided by GSI, to ensure customer satisfaction and to strive for meeting international standards. Accordingly, SOPs are formulated and implemented for various activities of GSI. 20% of the GSI’s Annual Field Season Programme and reports generated based on the preceding year FSP goes under the external peer review process for quality control and to monitor the quality of the FSP items being taken up in the Field Season Programmes (FSP).
9.0 Modernisation drive in GSI: In order to establish GSI as a world class geoscientific organization, a modernization program was initiated in GSI in the XII Plan. The program aims at infusing state-of-the-art technology in the various spheres of functioning of the organization. During FY 2020-21, the major geological, chemical, geophysical and drilling instruments have been planned for procurement include Super Low Level Scintillation Counter Analyser, Electron Probe Micro Analyser (EPMA), Isotope Ratio Mass spectrometer (IRMS), Automated Thin Section Making Machine, Guelph Permeameter, ICPMS, XRF, SEM, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
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(AAS), Total Station, OSL Reader, WD-XRF, Direct Shear Testing Machine, Polarising Microscope with digital Camera imaging software etc. in which Hydrostatic Drilling Rigs 6 nos. and High Resolution Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (HR-SIMS) have already been procured.
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