Fossil and time: On the draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics bill

Source: The post is based on the article “Fossil and time: On the draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics bill” published in The Hindu on 15th February 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Relevance: About Draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics bill.

News: Recently, the Ministry of Mines has introduced a Draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2022. The bill provides more powers to the Geological Survey of India(GSI).

About the Draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics bill

What are Geo-Heritage sites?

What is the need for the draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics bill?

There are numerous initiatives to preserve cultural history and man-made artefacts from archaeology. But, there has been limited effort to preserve and communicate the natural ‘geo-history’ rock formations, sediment and fossil.

For decades, researchers have been warning that India’s neglect of ‘geo-history’ will lead to an erasure of India’s geo history from the public mind and destruction as well as the appropriation of this natural wealth. The bill aimed at protecting the geo-history of India.

What are the challenges associated with the draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics bill?

–Absolute vesting of powers in the GSI alone may impede palaeontological research.

-Given the premium for land and India’s economic needs, there will be conflict over questions of preservation and livelihood.

What should be done to make the draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics bill comprehensive?

Need an inclusive body: A more inclusive body, on the lines of a National Geoheritage Authority, has to be created and vested with powers.

Proper framing of rules: The legislation will act as a ring fence. Hence, the government should not use it as a tool for suppressing independent investigation.