Srinagar: On World Tourism Day Environmental Policy Group (EPG) & CEO Srinagar Smart City Limited cum Commissioner SMC Athar Amir Khan discuss Kashmir Triassic Fossil Park, Guryul Ravines, Khonmoh.
A 2-hour power point presentation was made to the CEO- SSCL and a joint strategy chalked out for developing the internationally acknowledged Fossil Park in coming weeks. The CEO and experts were taken through the events dating back to 260-252 million years till now through the powerpoint presentation. The significant events discovered during the course of scientific study, geological research and site examination have led to the following findings:
(1) The Guryul Ravines , Khonmoh, geologically known as Vihi District , are the repository fossil beds dating back to 260 million years( pre-Dinosaur Permian period).
(2)The Tethys Ocean existed where Guryul Ravine , Khonmoh, now stands.
(3) The Guryul Ravine rocks are scientifically critical for geological research on the Permian/Triassic boundary which saw sudden extinction of upto 90% of all marine species and 70% of land species living about 252 million years ago.
(4)The Guryul Ravines is world famous as being among the most complete and important of that period and enjoyed Global Stratotype status till 2004; yet has been little studied.
(5)The events of massive extinction ( known as mother of extinctions) 252 million years ago are best preserved in Kashmir.
(6)The World’s first ever recorded Tsunami event is well preserved in the rocks of Guryul Ravines.
(7)The Geologists from all over the World especially from U.S.A,U.K,Ireland, China,Japan,Canada,Switzerland,Austria, Scotland etc have been visiting this area for furthering their research studies.
(8)The Khonmoh PT section of 3 metres is much much larger than 27 cms of Meishan. Section(China) attracting millions of tourists.This fact is acknowledged by Chinese geologists as well who visited Kashmir for examining it.
(9) A memorandum of understanding has been signed by Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Natural Reserve New York, USA- the World’s largest Fossil Park in providing technical support required for development of Kashmir Triassic Fossil Park.
