A one-day workshop on the topic, “Workshop on Application of Natural Geochemical Mapping Data and Utility of National Geoscience Data Repository” was organised by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), State unit: Manipur and Nagaland, government of India at the Conference Hall, Directorate of Geology and Mining office, Dimapur, Wednesday.
Speaking at the inaugural session as chief guest, director, Geology and Mining Nagaland, John Kevi Angami, commended GSI for its remarkable and commendable work in the service of the nation for so many years.
Angami said GSI, the leading earth science organisation, was dedicated to fulfilling the nation’s needs and safeguarding its interests. Over its 173-year history, he said GSI had played a crucial role in identifying mineral resources, especially for the country’s economic growth.
On completion of geochemical mapping, he noted that GSI has prioritised geochemical mapping, a commitment in the “Vision 2020 document”, to identify new perspective areas for possible occurrences of mineral deposits, to demarcate areas of potential geo-environmental health hazards, and to specify the causes of such ailments.
With those objectives in mind, he pointed out that the GSI has embarked on the ambitious programme of National Geochemical Mapping Programme to generate a baseline database of the entire country since 2001.
Angami said GSI Manipur and Nagaland state units started the geochemical mapping in 2010. Despite the terrain conditions, bad connectivity, etc., he said the geoscientists from GSI had done a commendable job by covering the entire state of Nagaland and 81% of Manipur.
He said that the natural geochemical mapping was conceptualized to create a seamless geochemical map of 64 elements. Apart from carrying out mapping, Angami said GSI also took into mineral investigation, which was still in progress.
With sufficient data generated, Angami hoped that it would help the agriculture and allied departments.
Delivering a brief note as the guest of honour, director, Geology and Mining, Khikiya Rengma, expressed hope that the technical session would go a long way in assisting the department.
The technical session included introduction to the National Geochemical Mapping Programme (NGCM) by Abhinab Borah, access and handling of NGCM data by Telen S Kom, application of NGCM data by RVS Shimyaphy, geochemical mapping-A case study by MP Singh and introduction to National Geoscience Data Repository by Dr PK Singh.
The welcome address was delivered by D Vincent Whuorie, the workshop overview was delivered by Dr Ranjit G Khangar, and the inaugural address by Rajeeva Roy. The concluding remarks were delivered by Rajeeva Roy and a vote of thanks by LH Moirangcha.