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Pandavula Gutta , New & Only Geo-Heritage Site in Telangana
Pandavula Gutta only Geo-Heritage Site in Telangana
Pandavula Gutta, a geological site located in the Jayashankar Bhupalpally district of Telangana, has been now officially recognized as the sole Geo-heritage site in the Telangana state. Pandavula Gutta site was first discovered in the year 1990. Geo-heritage sites serve as windows into the Earth’s ancient history, offering valuable insights into the planet’s evolution and the lives of our ancestors.
Who declares Geo Heritage Sites in India?
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the primary organization responsible for declaring geo-heritage sites and national geological monuments in India. Established in 1851 under the Ministry of Mines, GSI’s main objective is to investigate and assess the country’s mineral resources through regional-level exploration.
As part of its mandate, GSI identifies and declares sites of geological significance as geo-heritage sites or national geological monuments to ensure their protection and maintenance. Once declared, the respective state governments, in collaboration with GSI, take necessary measures to preserve these sites for their scientific, educational, and cultural value.
What Makes Pandavula Gutta a Unique Geo-Heritage Site?
Pandavula Gutta’s uniqueness lies in its age, cultural significance, and natural beauty. Estimated to be older than the Himalayas, this site showcase the Earth’s ancient history, dating back to the Mesolithic period. The presence of rare rock art, cave paintings, and historical inscriptions from the 7th-8th century A.D. reflects the lives and beliefs of ancient inhabitants, making Pandavula Gutta a cultural heritage.
| Key Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Age | Older than the Himalayas, dating back to the Mesolithic period |
| Rock Art | Rare Mesolithic cave paintings depicting wildlife, symbols, and daily life on walls and ceilings of caves, rock shelters and isolated boulders. |
| Inscriptions | Historical inscriptions from the 7th-8th century A.D. |
| Natural Formations | Caves, caverns, rock shelters and isolated boulders |
Major geo-heritage sites located in South India:
Andhra Pradesh:
- Volcanogenic bedded Barytes, Mangampeta, Cuddapah District
- Eparchaean Unconformity, Chittor District (also mentioned as Namalagundu, Anantapur District)
- Natural Geological Arch, Tirumala Hills, Chittor District
- Erra Matti Dibbalu – the dissected and stabilized coastal red sediment mounds located between Vishakhapatnam and Bhimunipatnam
Kerala:
- Laterite near Angadipuram PWD rest house premises, Malappuram District
- Varkala Cliff Section, Thiruvananthapuram District
Tamil Nadu:
- Fossil wood near Tiruvakkarai, Villupuram District (also mentioned as South Arcot District)
- National fossil wood park, Sattanur, Perambalur District (also mentioned as Tiruchirapalli District)
- Charnockite, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai
- Badlands of Karai Formation with Cretaceous fossils along Karai – Kulakkalnattam Section, Perambalur District
Karnataka:
- Columnar Lava, St Mary Islands, Udupi District
- Pillow lavas near Mardihalli, Chitradurga District
- Peninsular Gneiss, Lalbagh, Bangalore
- Pyroclastics & Pillow lavas, Kolar Gold fields, Kolar District
