National
Landslide Forecasting Centre: ENVIRONEMNT
News: Union
Minister inaugurates National Landslide Forecasting Centre and Launches
Bhusanket Web Portal & Bhooskhalan Mobile App
What’s in the news?
Launch of
Technology:
- Bhusanket Web Portal:
Facilitates dissemination of data on landslide hazards, short-range, and
medium-range forecasting.
- Bhooskhalan Mobile App:
Provides daily landslide forecasts and allows stakeholders to share and
update landslide occurrence information. Available on the Bhusanket Web
Portal and soon on Google Play Store.
NLFC
Goals:
- Mitigate landslide hazards in India.
- Benefit residents of Kalimpong, Darjeeling,
and Nilgiri districts with live forecasting starting from 20th July 2024.
- Issue early warning bulletins for
landslide-prone states nationwide by 2030.
- Use advanced technology for accurate
forecasting, integrating real-time rainfall and slope instability data.
Significance
of the Launch:
- Major step towards disaster risk reduction.
- Enhances GSI’s role in disaster management and
landslide hazard mitigation.
- Aligns with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat
and achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.
GSI’s
Expansion and Achievements:
- Expanded from coal exploration to mapping rock
types, geological structures, and exploring strategic and critical
minerals.
- Increased exploration programs for critical
minerals from 127 to 196 (total 450 exploration programs this year).
- Launched National Geoscience Data Repository
(NGDR) and migrated OCBIS portal to OCI cloud.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a scientific
agency under the Ministry of Mines, responsible for
conducting geological surveys and studies of India. It is one of the oldest
of such organisations in the world and the second oldest
survey in India after the Survey of India (founded in 1767).
- Nodal Ministry: Geological Survey of India is an attached office to
the Ministry of Mines.
- Origin: The
Geological Survey of India was founded in 1851 by the East India
Company, primarily to find coal deposits for the railways.
- First
geological surveyor of GSI was David Hiram Williams.
- First
director-general of GSI was Sir Thomas Oldham. He broadened the scope of the survey
by mapping the rock types, geological structures and relative ages of
different rock formations.
- Headquarter: Kolkata and has six regional offices located at Lucknow, Jaipur,
Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata.
-
Every state
has a state unit.
Functions:
- Geological
Mapping: The Geological Survey of India conducts comprehensive
geological surveys and mapping exercises to create detailed maps
of India’s geological formations, aiding in mineral exploration and
resource assessment.
- Mineral
Exploration: Through systematic exploration programs,
the Geological Survey of India identifies and evaluates mineral
deposits, contributing to the development of the mining sector and
supporting industrial growth.
- Environmental
Impact Studies: The Geological Survey of India conducts
environmental impact assessments (EIAs) to evaluate the potential
environmental effects of mining and infrastructure projects,
ensuring sustainable development practices.
- Hazard
Assessment: Leveraging its expertise in geology and
seismology, the Geological Survey of India assesses natural
hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods, providing
critical data for disaster preparedness and mitigation.
- Contribution
to Natural Resource Management: Fuelling Economic Growth
- Mineral Resource Assessment: The
Geological Survey of India plays a pivotal role in assessing India’s
mineral wealth, including coal, iron ore, bauxite, and precious metals,
contributing to the country’s industrial and economic growth.
- Groundwater Management: Through
hydrogeological studies and groundwater prospecting, the Geological
Survey of India supports sustainable groundwater management, addressing
water scarcity and ensuring water security.
Achievements:
- The discovery
of coal in Raniganj, Jharia, Singareni, etc. and the estimation
of coal resources and reserves in India.
- The discovery
of oil in Digboi, Assam and the exploration of oil and gas fields
in various basins of India.
- The discovery
of iron ore in Singhbhum, Orissa, Bailadila, etc. and the assessment
of iron ore resources and reserves in India.
- The discovery
of manganese in Nagpur, Balaghat, etc. and the estimation of
manganese resources and reserves in India.
- The discovery
of chromite in Sukinda, Baula, etc. and the assessment of chromite
resources and reserves in India.
- The discovery
of bauxite in Lohardaga, Koraput, etc. and the estimation of bauxite
resources and reserves in India.
- The discovery
of limestone in various parts of India and the estimation of
limestone resources and reserves in India.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2034442