Officials have announced plans to transform the Ramgarh crater in Rajasthan's Baran district into a captivating geo-tourist attraction. Believed to have been created around 600 million years ago, this crater is the state's first and the country's third. The Maharashtra Lunar Crater and the Madhya Pradesh Dhala Crater are the other two. Anticipating a significant influx of visitors, the Rajasthan Tourism Department envisions an annual attendance of 30,000 to 40,000 individuals once the project is complete. Development efforts are already underway with an allocated budget of Rs 57.22 crore. The initiative encompasses enhancing the crater lake's aesthetics, constructing infrastructure, and embellishing the surroundings.
According to officials, the Tourism Department is overseeing the construction of a high-quality road, an information center, a knowledge center, and a cafeteria. Additionally, plans include the establishment of gardens, a green area, a ghat (steps leading down to a body of water), an entrance gate, signage, and the implementation of drip irrigation. Rashmi Sharma, Director of the Tourism Department, expressed confidence that the Ramgarh crater would emerge as a highly sought-after tourist destination, emphasizing the promotion of geology tourism. The site represents a harmonious blend of geology, archaeology, and history. Furthermore, the Forest Department has designated the Ramgarh area as a conservation reserve.
Collaboration among the Tourism, Forest, and Public Works departments is driving the development of this region. Satish Tripathi, General Secretary of The Society of Earth Scientists, revealed that the 3.5 km diameter Ramgarh crater, located 12 km from Mangrol tehsil in Baran district, was discovered in 1869. It is believed to have resulted from a meteorite impact that occurred 600 million years ago. As the 200th crater recognized in the World Geo-Heritage, the presence of glass formed from melted sand scientifically affirms the meteorite's occurrence. The crater exhibits higher-than-normal levels of iron, nickel, and cobalt, elements commonly found in many asteroids.
Daleep Singh Rathore, Deputy Director of Tourism, highlighted the presence of a 10th-century Shiva temple, resembling the architectural style of Khajuraho, located near the periphery of the Ramgarh crater, colloquially referred to as 'Mini Khajuraho.' Within this structure, two lakes serve as natural habitats for numerous migratory birds. Additionally, the area features a 950-year-old Devi temple, a cluster of ancient temples, and the Kelpuri Samadhi Sthal. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot Chital deer and wild boars here, making the region an all-encompassing tourist destination.