Geological Survey of India
Ministry of Mines
Context:
Geological Survey of India Mobile App – Innovative Step Towards Making GSI Digitally Accessible To Masses
Key Highlights:
- Geological Survey of India launched the GSI Mobile App (Beta Version) in the year 2020 and upgrading it periodically.
- Through the App , people will become more enlightened about various facets of GSI activities .It is also in line with the Digital India campaign initiated by the Central Government .
- The App is available for Android platform as of now and can be downloaded from Google Play Store.
- The App is divided into various sections where it talks about the legacy of GSI, the in-house publications of the organisation, various case studies on different missions of GSI, the picture gallery etc. E-news division updates masses about the latest news as far as the organization is concerned in terms of work and the career opportunities as well as the training facilities that are available with GSI.
- It also deals with various maps, videos and downloads of GSI work. The e-book section would give the masses an idea of the exploration works done by GSI. It connects the YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages of GSI from the app as well.
- This App will be further upgraded for higher versions of Android OS and for iOS compatible mobiles (i-Phones) and many more features will be added in the near future.
- Besides bringing the activities and achievements of GSI to the general public, the purpose of such an App is to draw the attention of the student community towards the subject of Geology and its importance in nation building.
About Geological Survey of India:
- The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a scientific agency of India.
- It was founded in 1851, is a Government of India Ministry of Mines organisation, one of the oldest of such organisations in the world and the second oldest survey in India after Survey of India (founded in 1767), for conducting geological surveys and studies of India, and also as the prime provider of basic earth science information to government, industry and general public, as well as the official participant in steel, coal, metals, cement, power industries and international geoscientific forums.
- The main functions of the GSI relate to creation and updation of national geo-scientific information and mineral resource assessment.
- It is headquartered in Kolkata and has six regional offices located at Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata. Every state has a state unit.
Evolution of Geological Survey
- The beginning of geological investigation in India was in the early part of the nineteenth century. A few amateur geologists associated with the Survey of India and Army initiated geological studies in the country.
- H.W. Voysey (1818-1823) of the Great Trigonometric Survey made the first Geological Map of Hyderabad region along with a detailed report.
- In 1837 a committee for “The Investigation of Coal and Mineral Resources” was set up.
- The Secretary of the Committee John McClelland made the appointment of the first professional geologist.
- D. H. Williams was the first Geological Surveyor appointed by the East India Company in 1846.
- John McClelland for the first time used the term Geological Survey of India in his report in 1848. He designated himself as officiating Surveyor, Geological Survey till 1st April 1850.
- The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
- The arrival of Sir Thomas Oldham, Professor of Geology at Trinity College Dublin and the Chief of Irish Geological Survey at Calcutta on 4th March 1851, marked the beginning of the continuous period of the Geological Survey of India.
- 1951 M. S. Krishnan becomes the first Indian to be a Director of the Geological survey of India
Missions for GSI
Mission I: Baseline Geoscience, Data Collection
- Ground and Marine Surveys
- Remote Sensing and Aerial Surveys
Mission II: Natural Resource Assessment
- Natural Mineral Resource Assessment
- Natural Energy Mineral Resources
Mission III: Geoinformatics
- Data Repository and Management, etc
- Publication and Information, Library
- Map, Geoinformatics and Data Integration
Mission IV: Multidisciplinary Geosciences
- Geotechnical and Geohazards Management
- Climate Change and Ecosystems, etc
- Fundamental Geosciences and Research
Mission V: Training And Capacity Building
Functions
The main functions of GSI relate to creation and updation of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment. These objectives are achieved through ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting and investigations, multi-disciplinary geoscientific, geo-technical, geo-environmental and natural hazards studies, glaciology, seismotectonic study, and carrying out fundamental research
Source: PIB