Geoheritage Values of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gujarat, Western India

Geosites are the regions or type locations with visible natural features, which enumerates the geological development of the terrain to understand its genesis. They are recognized based on their scientific, educational, and cultural values, uniqueness, present condition, and accessibility. The use of these geosites for science education, particularly earth science education, to foster sustainable thinking and learn geology and geo-conservation has gained importance over the last few years. Ancient mine workings are one such locality that can be used for teaching geosciences and sustainability issues. Therefore, we propose a field structural geology museum situated in an abandoned Shivrajpur — Bhat manganese mine, located near Champaner — Archaeological Park, UNESCO — World Heritage Site, Gujarat, Western India. The present location has the potential to emerge as a Geo-Heritage site as it consists of (i) more than 200 magnificent, mega-to-mesoscale folded metasedimentary outcrops of open-to-tight isoclinal variety and all “S,” “Z,” and “M” types of ptygmatic fold trains; (ii) classical historical remnants of human-derived underground mining structures, such as vertical shafts, inclines, blind shafts; and (iii) some of the textbook examples of structurally controlled mineralization in rocks as well as guides to metallic ore, e.g. fissure veins, box-works, saddle reefs. This site can provide field experience for understanding geology related to the development of complex structural features and their evolution, mine planning, and management, understanding the effect of mining on the environment, and thinking of necessary remedial measures for the future.