Need to generate awareness on geo-heritage stressed

VISAKHAPATNAM: There is a need to spread awareness about geo-heritage in Andhra Pradesh and India, stressed Prof D Rajasekhar Reddy of Andhra University’s (AU) geology department, adding that towards this end AU and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) would jointly conduct a two-day workshop on May 30 and May 31.
“Geo-heritage is a term applicable to geological sites with significant, scientific, educational, cultural or aesthetic value,” said Prof Reddy, adding that Unesco had in 1998 proposed establishing geoparks to protect such sites but the idea was yet to take hold in India.Two potential geopark zones in Visakhapatnam district are Araku-Borra and Vizag-Bheemili, said Intach’s Visakhapatnam chapter convenor P V Prasad.
“It is unfortunate that we cannot showcase our geo-cultural and historical heritage the way China does. The Chinese have done some really good work and today there are 27 Unesco recognised geo-parks in China and around 200 geo-parks recognised and maintained by the government of China. There are about 26 national geological monuments in India, recognised by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), but these are not protected by the state as there are no legal provisions to protect them,” said Prasad.
Prof Reddy observed that unique geological formations must be turned into protected tourist destinations and for this must first be identified as heritage sites, their uniqueness and diverse features must be carefully highlighted and there should be a proper conservation process.
Prasad observed that the idea had been discussed with Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) chief Chandana Khan, who evinced keen interest. “We have mooted this idea and put it to many ministers and public representatives along with bodies such as the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (Vuda). Vuda authorities are coming forward to take it up and are constituting two committees to go about the conservation of the geological formations on the Vizag-Bheemili stretch,” said Prasad. The GSI is also doing its bit and providing all the support by asking Intach to propose that the Yerra Matti Dibbablu site be made a national geological monument.