Identification of Geomorphosites and Evaluation of Geoheritage Potential using the M-GAM model in the Purulia District, extended part of Chhotanagpur Plateau, India

Deep beneath the soil of eastern India lies a landscape shaped by forces that have been at work for billions of years. This is the domain of geoheritage, a field of study that treats the Earth's physical features—its rocks, hills, waterfalls, and soil patterns—as a valuable library of natural history. Just as a museum preserves artifacts to tell the story of human civilization, geoheritage seeks to identify and protect the specific places where the Earth's geological past is most clearly written. These places, known as geomorphosites, are not merely scenic backdrops; they are active classrooms where the processes of mountain building, erosion, and ancient tectonic shifts can be observed in real time. When these sites are recognized and understood, they open the door to geotourism, a form of travel that encourages visitors to learn about the planet's history while supporting the local communities that live alongside these natural wonders. The challenge, however, has always been knowing which specific spots hold the most value, both for science and for the people who wish to visit them.

In the Purulia District of West Bengal, a region that forms an extended part of the ancient Chhotanagpur Plateau, two researchers set out to solve this puzzle. The area is a rugged tapestry of hills, forests, and waterfalls, yet it has remained largely off the map for geotourism. The team, led by Prasanta Mandal and Biswajit Bera of Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, decided to treat the district as a vast, unsorted collection of natural treasures. Their goal was to find the most significant geological sites and determine exactly how much potential they held for education and tourism. To do this, they did not rely on guesswork or simple visual appeal. Instead, they applied a structured method known as the Modified Geosite Assessment Model. This approach acts like a detailed scorecard, weighing every site against a set of specific criteria. The researchers looked at two broad categories: the intrinsic worth of the site itself, such as how rare its rock formations are or how beautiful the view is, and the practical value it offers to visitors, such as how easy it is to reach, whether there are roads nearby, and if there are facilities like hotels or guides.

Over a period of fieldwork spanning from July 2023 to April 2026, the team visited thirty distinct locations across the district. They utilized high-precision Garmin handheld GPS devices for aerial exploration to locate and delineate the boundaries of potential geomorphosites, documenting features ranging from ancient granite outcrops to cascading waterfalls. Among the sites they cataloged were the towering Joychandi Pahar, the unique rock carvings at Pakhi Pahar, and the powerful Turga Falls. Using their scorecard, they assigned a value to each location based on its scientific importance, its aesthetic beauty, its current state of protection, and its readiness for tourism. The results painted a clear picture of the district's potential. Out of the thirty sites evaluated, eleven emerged as the top tier, possessing both high scientific value and strong tourism potential. These included the Gorgaburu Hill, which stands as the highest peak in West Bengal, and the Bamni and Turga waterfalls. These eleven sites were found to be not only geologically significant but also accessible and visually striking, making them ideal candidates for immediate development as geotourism destinations.

The study revealed that while the district is rich in natural history, the quality of these sites varies significantly. The top-ranked sites, such as Gorgaburu Hill and Khairabera Hill and Forest, scored exceptionally high because they combine rare geological features with excellent accessibility and surrounding natural beauty. Gorgaburu Hill, for instance, was identified as the single most valuable site in the entire district, offering a perfect blend of scientific rarity and visitor-friendly infrastructure. In contrast, ten other sites were found to have moderate scientific value but lacked the necessary facilities or accessibility to attract visitors. These locations, including Paharigora Hill and Tilaboni Hill, are currently underutilized. They possess interesting geological stories to tell, but without better roads, signage, or local support, they remain hidden from the public eye. The researchers noted that the district is also home to critical mineral deposits, which creates a tension between the need to preserve these ancient landscapes and the pressure to extract resources. The study suggests that without a clear plan to protect these sites, the unique billion-year-old landforms could be lost to industrial activity.

Ultimately, the work in Purulia District demonstrates that the region holds a massive, untapped potential for sustainable development. By identifying which sites are the most valuable, the researchers have provided a roadmap for local authorities and communities. The top eleven sites are ready to be developed into educational and recreational hubs that could generate income for the local tribal and non-tribal populations while preserving the area's geological legacy. The study concludes that the key to unlocking this potential lies in improving infrastructure and fostering community involvement. If the necessary steps are taken to make these sites accessible and to educate visitors about the ancient history written in the rocks, Purulia could transform from a remote, resource-rich area into a premier destination for those seeking to understand the deep time of the Earth. The findings confirm that the district is not just a collection of hills and streams, but a cohesive geological museum waiting to be opened to the world.