251-million-year fossil site Guryul Ravine to be declared ‘National Geo-Heritage Site’ today

Srinagar, Oct 15: In a momentous decision, the Director General, Geological Survey of India (GSI), will declare Guryul Ravine, geographically known as the Vigo district of Khonmoh in Srinagar, as a “National Geo-Heritage Site.”

The formal declaration will take place on October 16 at Khonmoh — a decision hailed as a historic milestone for both India’s geological community and environmental conservationists in Kashmir.

A “National Geo-Heritage Site” is a site or area that features unique or significant geological formations, fossils, landscapes, or rock structures that are important for scientific research, education, cultural identity, or natural beauty at a national level.

“Director General, GSI, Ministry of Mines, the Guryul Ravine Geological Section at Khonmoh village, Srinagar, will be formally declared and inaugurated as a ‘National Geo-Heritage Site of International Importance on Thursday via online mode,” said a senior GSI official.

Further, GSI will also organise the Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS)programme at the same Geo-heritage site at Guryul Ravine, Khonmoh, District Srinagar, UT of J&K, on October 16, he said.

Known popularly as the Kashmir Triassic Fossil Park, Guryul Ravine is among the most scientifically important fossil sites on Earth. The site preserves geological evidence of the “Great Dying” — the mass extinction event that occurred around 251 million years ago, eradicating nearly 90% of all life forms on the planet.

Researchers also believe that Guryul Ravine contains traces of the world’s first-ever recorded tsunami, embedded within the site’s one-metre-thick Permian-Triassic (PT) section. Fossils from that period remain clearly visible and easily accessible, making it one of the rare geological formations where such evidence can be studied directly in the field.

Experts say the declaration will not only enhance India’s standing in global geoscience research but also boost eco-tourism and educational outreach in the region.

The historical significance of Guryul Ravine dates back nearly two centuries. Scientific interest in the site first emerged in 1837–38, when it was studied by the British geologist H. Falconer. This was followed by explorations from Murchison (1842), Vagne (1842), and several other renowned European geoscientists.

The most groundbreaking discovery came in 1866, when British geoscientist Henry Godwin-Austen unearthed crucial fossils that established Guryul as one of the most important Permian-Triassic boundary sites in the world. His findings were later cited in “The Valley of Kashmir” (1895), authored by Walter Lawrence, then Settlement Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir.

Since then, the site has drawn scientists, researchers, and students from over 30 international universities, making it a living museum of Earth’s evolutionary history.

The announcement marks a dream come true for the Environmental Policy Group (EPG), which has spent over a decade campaigning for recognition of this globally significant site.

The declaration is the result of sustained advocacy by the Environmental Policy Group (EPG) — a Srinagar-based environmental think tank — which left no stone unturned in ensuring the site’s global recognition.

The announcement fulfils a decades-long dream for the Environmental Policy Group (EPG), a Srinagar-based think tank that tirelessly campaigned for the site’s recognition.

EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi paid glowing tributes to all contributors: “We at the Environmental Policy Group express our deepest gratitude to the scientific community, the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, universities, the Revenue Department, the Department of Geology and Mining, and the Smart City Project Srinagar for their vital roles in conserving this geological treasure.”

He gave special credit to Prof. (Dr.) G.M. Bhat, retired Head of Geology, University of Jammu, for his “relentless efforts in preserving Guryul Ravine and bringing it back to the international scientific map.”

However, Bakshi voiced concern over “rampant encroachment” by the Department of Industries, alleging portions of the fossil-rich terrain have been annexed for industrial use. “It took direct intervention from the Prime Minister 15 years ago to stop mining and save a crucial section of the fossil bed,” he said, warning that continued neglect could undo years of conservation work.

Bakshi said the EPG persuaded the Revenue Department, under then DC Farooq Ahmad Lone, to allot 32 kanals to the Tourism Department led by Mehmood Ahmad Shah. With EPG’s help, parts of the site were fenced, and Rs 1 crore was sanctioned under Smart City — half used for fencing and half pending for an Interpretation Centre.

Calling the GSI declaration “a turning point for geo-conservation in India,” Bakshi said, “October 16, 2025, will be remembered as a golden day for Kashmir’s environmental history.”

He vowed that EPG would continue its efforts to secure UNESCO Global Geopark recognition and develop Guryul Ravine into a world-class fossil park and research centre. “This is not just about fossils or rocks,” Bakshi concluded.