Jaipur: Ramgarh Crater in Baran district, India’s first notified geoheritage site, is set to get a tourism boost with the forest department beginning work on visitor facilities to promote eco-tourism and conservation at the meteorite impact site.In the first phase, the department will develop watchtowers, tourist huts, visitor amenities, signboards, seating areas and waste management facilities. The infrastructure is aimed at improving visitor access and allowing tourists to explore the crater’s geological landscape and surrounding natural attractions.“The department is also working on proposals to expand eco-tourism activities, including camping, boating, nature trails and wildlife observation experiences. Efforts are underway to enhance the scenic Pushkar Talab area located within the crater, adding to its appeal for tourists, nature enthusiasts and researchers alike,” an official said.Formed around 165 million years ago by a meteorite impact, Ramgarh Crater is nearly 3 km in diameter and is one of India’s few known impact craters. The circular depression, surrounded by hills and forests, supports lake and wetland ecosystems that are home to a variety of plant and animal species, including several considered rare and ecologically significant.Rajasthan govt recently declared Ramgarh Crater a ‘notified geoheritage site’ in consultation with Geological Survey of India (GSI). The notification recognises its geological significance, biodiversity, ecosystem services and cultural value. The area is already protected as the Ramgarh Conservation Reserve under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.The crater also houses the historic Bhand Deva Temple, often referred to as the “Mini Khajuraho of Hadoti”. Built in the 10th century by the Med dynasty ruler Malay Varma and later renovated by King Trisa Varma, the temple is known for its Panchayatan-style architecture and intricate stone carvings. Its intricate sculptural carvings and artistic similarities to the famous Khajuraho temples reflect an important cultural exchange in medieval India. The fact that the temple stands within a meteorite impact crater makes the destination even more distinctive, combining geological, ecological and cultural heritage at a single site.“At present, not many tourists visit Ramgarh Crater. However, with improved facilities and growing recognition as a geoheritage destination, the site is expected to attract significantly more visitors in the coming years,” an official source said.
