Lamprophyre sites of Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field, Southern India: Potential candidates for developing as geoparks

Abstract

This article presents field description of lamprophyres of the Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field (WKF) emphasising their geoscientific potential to develop and popularize them as geoparks. Also presented are other places of geological importance and heritage sites to visit, such as kimberlite pipe locations, syenite body at Danduvaripalli, ancient Hindu shrines and Batrepalli waterfall etc. to develop as a geotourism corridor. The WKF is largest of all kimberlite fields in the Indian shield and is bestowed with all types of rare mantle derived lamprophyre clan rocks (LCRs) such as lamprophyres, lamproites and kimberlites. The LCRs represent geological anomalies and act as the focal points of diamond exploration. They have been significant in mantle petrological research. The geopark evaluation reveals that the lamprophyre sites deserve to be considered for geopark development. A geotoruism strategy through SWOT evaluation of eligibility criteria of lamprophyres shows that they have geoscientific potential to be developed as geoparks in conjunction with other geological and cultural sites in the proximity. As the outcrops are small, developing them as geoparks and their maintenance is not tough, however, it requires investment, maintenance and wide publicity. If developed as geoparks, these will attract geology researchers and enthusiasts and stands as an example for other similar sites in the country to inculcate awareness of geotourism. Proactive and aggressive involvement of national geological organisations and institutes is inevitable to achieve the goal of unraveling new geoparks of this sort.