Geological Survey of India (GSI)
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8 Geological Survey of India (GSI) Introduction • Creation and updation of national geoscientific information and knowledge base through ground, 8.1 The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in marine, airborne and remote sensing surveys. I85l, initially with the objective of locating coal for the railways. GSI over the years has expanded its role to • Increased emphasis on concept oriented thematic undertake investigation of the geological set up of the geological mapping on progressively larger scales country, including assessment and regional level and geochemical and geophysical mapping on exploration for coal and other mineral resources. 1:50000 scale GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (GSI) GEOLOGICAL 8.2 GSI’s activities may be grouped as ‘Geoscientific • Mineral resources assessment through regional baseline data’ which includes geological surveys and exploration. mapping; ‘Mineral Resource Assessments’’ which • Shallow Subsurface Geology for locating coal and includes ferrous and nonferrous minerals, coal & lignite mineral deposits etc. ‘ Special Studies’ which includes Natural hazards studies, Climatic studies, Geotechnical studies etc, and • Geotechnical advice and guidance for dams, ‘Geoinformatics’ which include publication of Maps and roads and rail transport and other civil engineering Reports and generation of spatial information through construction projects. GIS and related software for a variety of applications in developmental and regulatory situation as well in • Knowledge inputs in natural hazard studies and the commercial sphere. disaster management including earthquake and landslide zonation studies. 8.3 Under the National Mineral Policy (NMP) 2008, Geological Survey of India remains the principal agency • Geo-environmental investigations for both for geological mapping and regional mineral resources regional and site-specific studies for societal assessment of the country. The NMP seeks to ensure needs. that GSI programmes are prioritized in line with the • Computerised archival, analyses, retrieval of all national policy goals and are chalked out after taking geoscientific data and creation of theme-based into account the exploration work undertaken by the relational database. private sector for which the existing arrangement of programme formulation through the Central Geological • Dissemination of data through maps, publications Programming Board (CGPB) would be revamped. NMP and through internet GSI portal etc. envisages strengthening the Geological Survey of India with manpower, equipment and upgraded skill sets. • Training in specialised fields of geology, geophysics and chemistry for upgradation of technology and Thrust Areas of Activity expertise. 8.4 The broad thrust areas for GSI are identified, • Modernisation and upgradation of laboratories keeping in view the planned objectives of the XI Plan and field oriented geosurvey facilities. and declared national priorities are:- 42 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (GSI) GEOLOGICAL Modernization in GSI three specialized Wings (activity based) and Training Institute that is controlled from the Central 8.5 The Geological Survey of India has undertaken an Headquarters in Kolkata. The Senior Deputy Directors extensive programme of modernization during the XI General/Deputy Directors General (HAG/SAG level) Plan period. The modernization programme is aimed head these Regions/Wings and function as “Head of at refurbishing and upgrading the in-house capabilities Department”(HOD) to oversee the formulation and of GSI. Under the Modernization programme, GSI implementation of annual programmes, exercise proposes to acquire a new Ocean-going research vessel budgetary control, allocate the resources, determine as a replacement for the aging RV Samudra Manthan, the relative priorities, and effect executive and other a new Geotechnical Vessel with shallow drilling capacity, controls on Divisions/Projects within the Regions/ a Heliborne Geophysical Survey System and a Wings. replacement of its fixed-wing aircraft. The Government has approved the proposal for procurement of the new 8.7 Besides having functional Units in the respective research vessel at an estimated cost of Rs. 448 crores. headquarters, each of the Regions comprises State The procurement action has started with Shipping based Operational Units, which are mostly headed by Corporation of India (SCI) identified as the Indian SAG level officers. The specialized Wings also comprise Consultant. The Government has also accorded sector-wise functional Units, in addition to the approval for the acquisition of a Geotechnical Vessel at headquarter set-up. The Training Institute, located at a cost of Rs. 72 crores. Proposal for appointment of Hyderabad, has satellite training centers at 6 locations SCI as the Indian Consultant has been initiated. in different parts of the country. An SAG level officer Procurement action for Heliborne Survey System of 4 (Deputy Director General) co-ordinates the activities sensors (gravity, magnetic, time domain related to the programme formulation, administration electromagnetic and radiometric) along with a and technical control and provides infrastructure hyperspectral camera to be fitted to the helicopter is support for implementation besides operating the underway. The Feasibility Report for acquisition of a allocated budget, and coordinates the inter-disciplinary new Fixed Wing Aircraft and geophysical sensors activities. The structure of the organizations is given in (gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic and hyper spectral) Figure 8.1. are to be finalized by GSI shortly. In addition, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS) 8.8 The primary functions of collecting the basic equipment for chemical analysis, Electron Probe Micro geological information is carried out by GSI through its Analyzer (EPMA) to study of mineral phases in rocks Divisions/Projects spread all over the country. Clusters and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to study of such Divisions and Projects, normally headed by JAG naturally occurring specimens up to a magnification of level officers, are located at the Regional and about 1 lakh times, are planned for many laboratories. Operational offices and in many outlying stations, Organization Set-up totalling 33 cities/towns in the country. 8.6 The GSI with the Director General as its head, 8.9 The support activities to the geological functions as a subordinate office of the Ministry of investigations are provided by independent set-ups in Mines. The Director General has the overall the complementary disciplines like geophysics, responsibility of planning, programming, financial and chemistry, drilling, mechanical engineering, materials material management, monitoring of scientific activities, management, finance and administration. Each of these dissemination of information and advice to Government establishments is based at Regional or Operational on geoscience related issues. For operational purposes, offices and is headed by an officer of the level of Dy. GSI is divided into six Regions (geographically based), Director General/Directors/ Time Scale officers. 43 Figure 8.1 Organisational structure of GSI GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (GSI) GEOLOGICAL Programme Formulation in GSI wise, are placed before the Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) for approval. The 43rd 8.10 The Government set up the Central Geological Meeting of the CGPB was held on 29th September 2008 Programming Board (CGPB) by Government Resolution which approved the Annual Programme for the field in 1966 for formulation and implementation of the season year 2008-09 (October 08 – September 09). programmes in the earthscience area, with close co- The 44th Meeting was held in February, 2009 to review ordination between GSI and State Geological progress and examine policy and strategy issues. Departments and other central agencies. CGPB is supported by State level Programming Boards and High Powered Committee various Subcommittees formed for the development 8.12 The Cabinet, in its meeting held on 1.10.2007, of various mineral and geoscience based issues. While directed that a High Powered Committee (HPC) be set finalizing the programmes of GSI, the Government up to thoroughly review the functioning of GSI and policies and directives, suggestions and assess its capacity to meet the emerging challenges recommendations of Five-Year Plan document, Sub- taking into account the organisation’s technological and committees of the Central Geological Programming manpower resources. Accordingly, a High Powered Board and State Geological Programming Boards are Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of considered. Additional Secretary (Mines), vide the Ministry of 8.11 After final scrutiny at Central Hqrs., GSI’s annual Mines’ order dated 7.1.2008. Representatives of the programme documents, mostly State-wise and activity- Planning Commission, the Department of Science and 44 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (GSI) GEOLOGICAL Technology and GSI, and management experts are State and to interface with the CGPB and GSI. members of the HPC. The Committee held 13 Accordingly on 12th March, 2009, the CGPB has been meetings, and reviewed the existing work, obtained reconstituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary, GSI’s own vision and also interacted with the U.S. Mines, Government of India, with more broadbased Geological Survey and the National Resources, Canada representation from Central Ministries and Institutions, to understand global trends, identify new and emerging State Governments