Dr C M Seth
Worldwide Geodiversity Day is being celebrated on sixth October, this 12 months for the primary time, by UNSECO realizing the significance of Geodiversity for the sustainable growth of human surroundings. United Nations has been celebrating many environmental and Local weather Change days to create consciousness about burning problems with environmental degradation, air pollution, inexperienced home gases and World warming. United Nation and its different wings like UNEP and UNSECO are engaged in making human surroundings sustainable on this planet Earth. Geodiversity and Geoheritage websites was one space which didn’t obtain a lot consideration previously by the worldwide physique for its conservation. To make world group privy to its significance and coverage interventions by completely different nations, UNSECO determined to have a good time geodiversity day from this 12 months onwards. Governments of various nations have been directed to make Coverage, Acts, guidelines and rules for identification of Geo-heritage websites, Geo-Parks, Geo Museums, Geo-heritage trails, Fossil Parks,and so on. Many nations have already arrange Geo Parks and Geo Heritage websites. In India, too, many states have began establishing these Parks with distinctive Geological characters. Geological Survey of India have established Fossil Parks in HP, MP, Gujarat, TN, UP, WB and Rajasthan states.
Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have uncommon geological options like Krakoram mountain ranges, Himalayan mountain ranges and Shiwalik mountain ranges. All these mountain ranges comprise distinctive and uncommon geological options which should be recognized and preserved for posterity. At current, uncontrolled extraction of minerals is being carried out from these mountains which endangers these landscapes. In Ladakh, we’ve got pure Geysers in Puga valley, Tatpani Kalakote. In Kashmir we’ve got prime quality limestone deposits at Khrew and Baramulla. Marble and Granite of Kupwara district. In Jammu, we’ve got Gypsum deposits at Assar and Par Lanka. Lamayuru moonland is exclusive geological panorama. Kashmir valley and its Karewa deposits have wealthy treasurer of plant and animal fossils which helps GEO scientists to know concerning the local weather and vegetation of prehistoric occasions. Earlier scientific research ofProf.Birbal Sahni, Prof. Middlemiss and Prof.D.N.Wadia have contributed in discovery of Plant and animal fossils in J&Ok. Jammu Shiwaliks had been as soon as habitat of Elephants, Rhino, Tigers, Giraffe and plenty of different animals which have turn out to be extinct now however their stays are effectively preserved in Shiwalik hills as fossils.Geologists have found in Shiwaliks of Jammu and Samba districts,fossils of earlier ancestors of Elephant and plenty of animals and crops which have turn out to be extinct in these areas. One such discovery was of Stegodonganesa tusk from Jagti Nagrota Shiwalik. One tusk is mendacity in museum of Geology division of science faculty and different two tusks are mendacity within the museum of Geological Survey of India, Jammu. Different discovery was from Nangal village of Samba district of Elephas planifrons. Fossils of earlier species of elephants have additionally been found from Pleistocene deposits of Khanpur and Tawi fromations close to DevakKhad of Samba district. Fossils of earlier ancestors of elephants have additionally been found from Galander village of Pampore in Kashmir valley which at the moment are mendacity in Wadia pure historical past museum of Jammu College. These discoveries recognise the importance of Jammu Shiwaliks as a wealthy heritage of fossils.
This heritage wants additional explorations and its preservation by establishing JAMMU FOSSIL PARK close to or inside Jammu ZOO situated close to JagtiNagrota. This Fossil Park is not going to solely have fossils of crops and animals however may also embody fashions of Dinosaurs in Dinosaur Park. This Fossil Park may also have one part devoted to uncommon minerals, rocks and different valuable stones discovered within the mountain ranges of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. I’ve not mentioned right here about itemizing of Geo Parks and Geosites which additionally want speedy consideration of the state/UT authorities.
Jammu Fossil Park, as soon as established will probably be one other attraction for the vacationers visiting the state, along with Jammu Zoo, Tawi Lake, Aquarium, Tawi river entrance park and Mubarakh Mandi Dogra Heritage website. All these growth initiatives will assist the UT to extend the footfall of vacationers and economic system of Jammu metropolis. Moreover its instructional and consciousness worth, addition of Fossil Park will improve the popular vacationer websites of India. I request civil society of Jammu, political management of Jammu and Chamber of Commerce Jammu to help this dream challenge. I additionally enchantment to Dr. Jatindra Singh Minister for Earth Sciences and Lt.Governor of J&Ok and its administration to direct involved to organize a DPR of this challenge and approve the identical for establishing Fossil Park close to Jammu Zoo with sufficient provision of funds. Geological Survey of India, Geology and mineral division of J&Ok, Geology departments of Science School and Jammu College can collaborate for establishing Fossil Park in Jammu.
(The creator is former IFS officer, Environmentalist and Co-convener, INTACH, J&Ok)