Srinagar, Sep 4: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has sought the urgent intervention of the Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, for the protection and conservation of the Guryul Ravine, a site of exceptional geological and palaeontological significance recognised by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) as a Geoheritage Site of National Importance.
In a formal communication addressed to the Chief Secretary, EPG has sought an action-taken status on the steps taken by the Government pursuant to the GSI’s communication dated December 17, 2025, regarding issuance of the necessary notification and conservation of the Guryul-Khunmoh-Mandekpal fossil landscape.
EPG has also drawn the Government’s attention to the GSI’s August 2026 communication, in which the national geological body stated that a joint inspection by the GSI and the District Administration was conducted on March 12, 2026, for conservation and development of the site.
The GSI has further recorded that the matter of according urgent legal protection to the Guryul Ravine under Dachigam National Park and its Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) has been discussed with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the GSI, the Guryul Ravine section falls within the Dachigam ESZ and the required notification by the Government of J&K is awaited.
EPG has expressed concern over reported development and construction activity associated with the Khonmoh Industrial Estate in the vicinity of the Guryul Ravine. The Group has urged the Government to ascertain whether any ongoing or proposed development has the potential to affect, encroach upon or otherwise compromise the geological and palaeontological features of the nationally significant site.
The Group has emphasised that protection of Guryul Ravine should not be viewed merely as a conservation obligation but also as an opportunity to create a major centre for geological tourism, scientific research and education in Jammu and Kashmir.
EPG said that, if scientifically conserved, properly demarcated and professionally developed, the site has tremendous potential to attract international tourists, researchers, geologists, palaeontologists, scientists, students and other visitors interested in earth sciences and natural history. The unique fossil landscape could potentially become an important destination for knowledge-based and scientific tourism, generating employment and local economic activity while enhancing Jammu and Kashmir’s profile on the international geotourism map.
The Group pointed to the experience of China, which has developed and promoted several fossil and palaeontological sites as tourism and educational destinations, demonstrating the significant economic and tourism value that can be generated from geological heritage when such sites are scientifically conserved and professionally managed.
“Guryul Ravine has the potential to become much more than a protected geological site. With proper conservation, interpretation facilities, scientific infrastructure and responsible tourism planning, it can emerge as an international destination for researchers, scientists, students and tourists. Destroying or compromising such a site through unplanned development would amount to an irreversible loss of both scientific heritage and a significant future tourism opportunity,” EPG said.
In its communication, EPG has specifically sought information on the action taken pursuant to the GSI’s December 2025 communication; the present status of the proposed Government notification; and the findings and recommendations of the joint inspection conducted on March 12, 2026.
The Group has also sought clarification on whether the boundaries of the Guryul Ravine Geoheritage Site have been scientifically surveyed and demarcated on the ground, including through the installation of marker pillars referred to by the GSI.
EPG has further requested the Government to clarify whether the ongoing development at Khonmoh Industrial Estate has been examined against the identified area of the Geoheritage Site and whether a fresh joint inspection involving the GSI, District Administration and concerned departments will be undertaken to establish the ground position.
The Group has also sought details of measures taken to ensure compliance with applicable environmental and conservation safeguards arising from the site’s location within the Dachigam National Park Eco-Sensitive Zone.
EPG has urged the Chief Secretary to treat the matter as urgent and direct the concerned authorities to undertake an immediate joint verification of the site and the ongoing industrial development.
The Group has further requested that no activity capable of adversely affecting the geological or palaeontological features of the Guryul Ravine be permitted until its boundaries, conservation requirements and the implications of ongoing development have been duly examined by the competent authorities.
EPG has sought to be apprised of the action taken pursuant to the GSI’s communication, the outcome of the March 2026 joint inspection and the status of the proposed Government notification for protection of the Guryul Ravine.
