Context:

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has raised serious concerns about the ongoing quarrying and land diversion activities that are endangering the Guryul Ravine fossil site in Jammu & Kashmir.

About Guryul Ravine Fossil Site

What Is It?
Guryul Ravine is a 260-million-year-old fossil-rich geological site that captures a pivotal moment in Earth’s history—the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB), marking the planet’s most catastrophic mass extinction. This site offers rare insights into prehistoric climate change, extinction events, and evolutionary biology.

Location:

• Situated in Khonmoh, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
• Falls within the geological limits of the Vihi District.

How Was It Formed?
The site was shaped during the transition between the Permian and Triassic periods, a time marked by:

• Intense volcanic activity
• Severe drops in atmospheric oxygen
• Global climate disruption
  These forces triggered widespread extinction, with fossil-rich marine and terrestrial sediments eventually being preserved in the area.

Key Features

• Permian–Triassic Extinction Record:
  Contains rare and crucial fossil evidence of the "Great Dying," when 90% of marine and 70% of terrestrial species perished.
• World’s Oldest Tsunami Record:
  Geological layers at the site preserve what is believed to be the earliest known tsunami event on Earth.
• Global Research Destination:
  Attracts geologists and researchers from over 10 countries, including the USA, Japan, and China.
• Protected Status:
  Declared a fossil conservation zone under a 2017 Government Order, covering an area of 9.8 lakh square meters.
• Superior to China’s Meishan Site:
  The fossil-bearing section at Guryul Ravine is 3 meters thick, far exceeding China’s 27-centimeter section, making it a site of greater scientific scale and significance.

Why Guryul Ravine Matters

• Scientific Importance:
  Vital for understanding ancient climate change and extinction patterns—key to interpreting today’s environmental challenges.
• Heritage Value:
  Holds strong potential for recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark and a National Geological Monument.
• Tourism Potential:
  With proper development, Guryul Ravine could emerge as a world-class geotourism destination, comparable to Meishan in China.

Source: DH