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In a monumental stride for eco-tourism and geological preservation, Chhattisgarh has unveiled the Gondwana Marine Fossil Park and its first-ever Jurassic Rock Garden in the lush Manendragarh Forest Division. Inaugurated on April 26 by Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, the park stands as a beacon of scientific discovery, conservation, and sustainable tourism.
Nestled alongside the Hasdeo River, the Gondwana Marine Fossil Park is now recognized as Asia’s largest marine fossil site. It holds fossils that date back an astonishing 290 million years to the Permian era. These rare remnants—bivalves, gastropods, brachiopods, and crinoids—were first discovered in 1954 by geologist S.K. Ghosh and now span over a kilometer, making the site not only historically significant but also officially declared a National Geological Monument.
Beyond its scientific marvels, the park represents a remarkable tourism transformation driven by the vision of Divisional Forest Officer Manish Kashyap (IFS 2015 batch). Inspired by the fossil parks of Gujarat and Jharkhand, Kashyap reimagined the neglected site into a dynamic, educational attraction over the last five years.
“Our aim was to transform a neglected natural heritage site into a living museum of Earth’s ancient history,” said Kashyap. “The Gondwana Marine Fossil Park and Chhattisgarh’s first Jurassic Rock Garden reflect our commitment to conservation-led tourism and education.”
A centerpiece of the initiative is the Jurassic Rock Garden—featuring 35 towering granite sculptures of prehistoric land and amphibian creatures, carved to scale. These life-sized installations offer visitors a tangible glimpse into an era long before human existence.
To enhance learning and engagement, the park includes an Interpretation Center that narrates Earth’s 4.5-billion-year journey and the fossilization process through vibrant paintings and fossil exhibits. Nature trails, bamboo rafting on the Hasdeo River, and soon-to-open features like a cactus garden and bamboo setum further enrich the visitor experience.
Once primarily recognized for Mainpat, the Sarguja region is now undergoing a tourism renaissance. Minister Jaiswal lauded the Forest Department’s efforts, calling the park “a testament to our ancient natural heritage” and “a future tourism icon of Chhattisgarh.”
The Gondwana Marine Fossil Park isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a place to learn, explore, and connect with the Earth’s deep past. With its unparalleled fossils, educational spaces, and ecological offerings, the Manendragarh Forest Division is now firmly positioned on the global fossil tourism map.
