Context

Pandavula Gutta was recently officially recognised as Telangana’s sole geo-heritage site.

• Recently, the Rajasthan Government also designated Ramgarh Crater at Baran District as a Geoheritage site.

About Pandavula Gutta

• It is a geological marvel older than the Himalayan hills.
• Location: Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana.
• Discovery: First discovered in  1990.
• Features: 
  • Prehistoric Habitation: It exhibits many sites from mesolithic to medieval periods.
  • Rock Art: Prehistoric man’s rock art was identified on walls and ceilings of caves, rock shelters and isolated boulders.
    • Depictions of Wildlife: The rock art paintings depict wildlife like Bison, Antelope, Tiger, Leopard etc.
    • Unique Blend of Natural Colors: impressions in green, red, yellow and white pigment colors.
    • Geometrical Shapes & Design: Swastika Symbols, circles and squares, weapons depicted such as bows, arrows, swords and lancer etc, are present in these paintings.
• Major Attraction: Paleolithic Rock Art Paintings, Eduru Pandavula Guhalu, Rock Climbing, Rappelling and Hiking.

About Ramgarh Crater

• It is a terrestrial Meteorite Impact Crater
• Location: Ramgarh Village, Mangrol Tehsil, Baran district, Rajasthan 
• Discovery: first discovered by the Geological Survey of India in 1869.
• Formation: It was formed around 165 million years ago due to Meteor impact.

• Features: 

  • Circular Depression: It forms a circular depression surrounded by hills and forests
  • Source of Essential Ecosystem Services & Heritage: It provides essential ecosystem services to preserve the ecological balance, biodiversity and cultural heritage of the region.

• Major Attraction: 

  • Bhand Devra Temple, influenced by Chandela dynasty and their temples at Khajuraho, is an example of such interchange.
  • Ramgarh Conservation Reserve (recognised under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972). 
  • Pushkar Talab complex (wetland, recognised under wetland conservation & Management Rules, 2017) located inside the crater, is a saline and alkaline water source.
• Other Important Recognized Meteorite Craters in India: Lonar in Maharashtra & Dhala in Madhya Pradesh.

What Are Geoheritage Sites?

About Geoheritage Sites:

• Geoheritage sites are sites of rare and unique geological and geomorphological significance having geomorphological, mineralogical, petrological, paleontological, and stratigraphic significance, including caves, natural rock sculptures of national and international interest. 
• Recognized by: Geological Survey of India (GSI) recognizes, declares, and maintains its heritage sites. 
• Features: 
  • Scientific-Educational Value: Geological Features and unique Fossils that are crucial for research.
  • Cultural & Aesthetic Value: Visuals on geological features depict cultural & aesthetic importance.
• Recognized Geo-heritage Site: 
  • Till GSI recognizes more than 90 sites.
  • Out of these, 34 are geo-heritage sites/national geological monuments declared for protection and maintenance after Pandavula Gutta & Ramgarh Crater.
  • Some prominent geo-heritage sites are Mamluh caves in Meghalaya and Barbara Caves in Bihar.