The Geological Survey of India has recognised a number of geoheritage sites around the country, but there are more that deserve the recognition yet haven’t. As such, stromatolite fossils preserve records of cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae – the earliest life on the planet. So the big question today is: Can we preserve Jhamarkotra and Zawar as geoheritage sites? Apart from its World Heritage list, UNESCO also has criteria for ‘Global Geoparks’: sites with geological heritage of international value. plus geologists, the national tourism board, and industry representatives will attempt to draft a roadmap to have these locations accredited as geoheritage sites.

Source: The Hindu March 19, 2023 12:13 UTC