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Geoconservation Through Geotourism Around Geologically Significant Sites and Desert Landscapes in Potential Geopark in Jaisalmer Basin, Western India

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Abstract

Geoconservation emphasises the conservation of geodiversity for its inherent geoheritage and ecological value. The Jaisalmer Basin in the Thar Desert in India has a number of naturally occurring places of geological importance and landscapes with aesthetic features that are appealing to people all over the world and play a significant role in Earth’s geological history. These abiotic elements are characterised by their intrinsic scientific value—independent of scenic and visual beauty. These geosites have immense educational, aesthetic, cultural and economic values through tourism, low-impact recreational and leisure activities. There is natural potential for developing into geoparks in the Jaisalmer Basin that has been emphasised in this paper on unique fossils, fossiliferous horizons and stratigraphic markers, such as the Akal National Park or Akal Wood Fossils Park; Thaiyat Scarp section near Thaiyat village; Bada Bag section and Kuldhar River section; arid and hyper-arid desert geomorphic sculptures and evolving landscapes and ecosystems conserving the distinguishing biodiversity together with the cultural and historical heritage of west Rajasthan, India. The scientifically researched robust details on several rare geosites are documented for their unique geoscientific significance, comprehensive geoconservation efforts and promotion of knowledge-based geotourism leading to the creation of suitably managed Jaisalmer Geopark and sustainable growth of the local communities. The SWOT (Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threats) analysis of the geosites indicates that the strength and opportunities excel over the weaknesses and threats and shows the geopark potential of the Jaisalmer Basin.

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Funding

We thank the University of Rajasthan, Manipal University of Higher Education, KSKV Kachchh University, Central University of South Bihar, Geological Survey of India and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham for giving us administrative and financial support and encouragement from time to time. D. K. P. also received financial support from the Department of Science and Technology (New Delhi) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany), which are gratefully acknowledged. We are grateful to anonymous reviewers and to the editors.

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  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Science, KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj, India

    Pandey K. Dhirendra & Bhosale Suraj

  2. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, Kerala, India

    Wadhawan K. Sudesh

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Indian Geoheritage: From the Precambrian to the Present.

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Dhirendra, P.K., Sudesh, W.K. & Suraj, B. Geoconservation Through Geotourism Around Geologically Significant Sites and Desert Landscapes in Potential Geopark in Jaisalmer Basin, Western India. Geoheritage 14, 108 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-022-00731-7

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