Sundargarh: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has discovered a natural arch nicknamed ‘Brahmani Arch’ and locally known as ‘Chhenga hill’. It has been found near Brahmani village under Hemgir block in this district. Experts have said that the arch is more than 160 million years old and belongs to the middle Jurassic age After the discovery, geologists have proposed to declare the ‘natural arch’ as a national ‘Geo Heritage Site’. The geologists have found out that there was a river at the place where the hill now exists. It will be the biggest natural arch in India if a geo-heritage tag is accorded to the site, officials of GSI said.
According to geologists, the oval-shaped arch is 30 metres long at the base and 12 metres high. The alcove of the natural arch has a maximum height and width of seven metres and 15 metres respectively. Earlier, two ancient such structures were found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and on Tirupati hill respectively. Geologists have claimed that the formation of the natural arch could have happened due to various reasons including weather abnormalities. The site needs to be preserved for its scientific importance as well as aesthetic value. The survey was carried out by the GSI geologists belonging to the Belpahar office in Jharsuguda district, an official said. The locals call it as ‘Chhenga hill’ but are unaware of its heritage.
Researchers discovered it during the exploration of coal in the district in 2017. The natural arch and its surrounding area is a storehouse of different primary and sedimentary structures like planner and crossbedding along with occasional current ripples signifying high energy fluvial environment during sedimentation, GSI researchers said. An awareness programme was organised for the conservation of the arch. It was attended by Sundargarh DFO (in-charge) Lalit Kumar Patra, Kanika sarpanch Shanta Dharua, GSI deputy director general Saibal Chandra Mitra, ACF Mohan Hembram and Kanika forest range officer Prakash Nayak. They sensitised people on the importance of the conservation of the natural arch.
