Srinagar, Jan 27: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has demanded a dedicated budgetary allocation of ₹10 crore in the Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2026–27 for the protection, conservation and scientific development of the Guryul Ravine Permian–Triassic (PTB) Section at Khunmoh, Srinagar, a site of exceptional global geological importance.

The Guryul Ravine in Kashmir preserves the world’s clearest geological record of the Permian–Triassic Mass Extinction, also known as the “Great Dying”, which occurred around 252 million years ago and remains the largest extinction event in Earth’s history. During this period, over 75 percent of terrestrial flora and nearly 95 percent of marine species were wiped out. The site is also globally renowned for preserving evidence of the world’s first known tsunami.

The demand comes in the wake of the official declaration of the Guryul Ravine PTB Section as a Geo-Heritage Site of National Importance by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, Government of India. The declaration was made on 16 October 2025 by the Director General, GSI, on the occasion of the 4th UNESCO International Geodiversity Day and the 9th International Geoethics Day. With this notification, the Guryul Ravine has become the 33rd National Geological Monument of India.

Along with Guryul Ravine, three other sites of international geological significance in Jammu and Kashmir—Barus, Mandakpal and Pastun (Tral)—were also declared Geo-Heritage Sites of National Importance vide DG-GSI order No. GH&CD/Geoheritage Site/J&K/2025 dated 16 October 2025.

EPG stated that the Guryul Ravine holds far greater scientific value than many globally celebrated sites. The exposed stratigraphic section at Khunmoh measures nearly three metres in thickness, making it significantly more comprehensive than the famous Meishan Section in China, which spans barely 27 centimetres. Despite this, China earns billions of dollars annually from tourism and research linked to the Meishan site, while the Guryul Ravine continues to suffer from neglect and degradation.

The group expressed serious concern over decades of illegal mining and continued degradation of adjoining sites such as Mandakpal, which has led to irreversible damage and destruction of invaluable geological evidence. It recalled that international geoscientists had raised the issue with the Prime Minister’s Office as early as 2009, following which directives were issued to stop mining. However, mining activities continued until 2017, when sustained protests by EPG, experts and local activists forced a halt. By then, significant portions of the geological record had already been destroyed and converted into construction material.

EPG has also raised alarm over recent activities involving the use of heavy machinery, mountain cutting and the construction of large industrial infrastructure near the Guryul Ravine. The group warned that any move to establish an industrial estate in and around the site would irreversibly jeopardise this one-of-a-kind geological archive. It cautioned policymakers to draw lessons from Supreme Court interventions in cases involving the destruction of the Aravalli Hills, stressing that similar judicial scrutiny could arise if globally significant heritage sites are compromised.

The Environmental Policy Group highlighted that it has been advocating the protection and development of the Guryul Ravine for nearly two decades. These efforts resulted in the transfer of 32 kanals of land to the site by the district administration, partial fencing by the Department of Tourism, and further extension of protective measures under the Smart City Project. However, EPG maintained that these steps are grossly inadequate in the absence of a comprehensive conservation, research and interpretation plan backed by sufficient financial resources.

Calling the declaration by GSI a “golden opportunity”, EPG urged the government to immediately allocate ₹10 crore for scientific conservation works, site protection, interpretation infrastructure, access improvement, visitor management, research facilities and preparation of the site for nomination as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The group emphasised that the Khunmoh Section has all the attributes required for UNESCO Global Geopark status due to its unmatched scientific value on a global scale.

EPG asserted that the Guryul Ravine is not meant for mining or industrial activity. Once properly developed, the site can emerge as a global hub for geological research and education, while also attracting large numbers of domestic and international tourists. This, the group said, would generate employment, foreign exchange and sustainable economic benefits for local communities and the region as a whole.

“The fossil park at Khunmoh is a one-in-a-million historic site with no parallel anywhere on the globe. Destroying it in the name of development would be a historic blunder. Preserving it will secure Jammu and Kashmir a permanent place on the world map of geoheritage,” EPG said.

The Environmental Policy Group appealed to the government to immediately stop further vandalisation of the site, declare the area a no-mining and no-industry zone, and prioritise conservation over short-term industrial expansion. “Keep priorities right. Protect the Guryul Ravine. It will repay the region many times over through science, tourism and global recognition,” the group added.

Srinagar, Jan 27: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday strongly condemned the vandalism of the shrine of renowned Sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah in Uttarakhand, alleging deliberate hypocrisy on the part of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In a post on social media, Mufti said BJP leaders project an image of cultural outreach abroad while, at home, remaining silent or complicit when symbols of spiritual harmony are targeted. She accused the party of selectively embracing religious imagery overseas while allowing attacks on pluralistic traditions within the country.

“BJP leaders pose in mosques abroad and roll out red carpets for Middle Eastern sheikhs. But back home they watch with glee the shrine of Sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah being vandalised,” Mufti said, adding that such actions reflect a calculated political approach rather than isolated incidents.

She alleged that the targeting of Sufi shrines and symbols of coexistence is aimed at diverting public attention from pressing socio-economic issues, including rising poverty, widespread unemployment and uncertainty faced by the younger generation.

Mufti said destroying symbols of harmony is easier than addressing the concerns of citizens struggling with economic hardship and lack of opportunities. She described the vandalism as part of a broader pattern intended to deepen divisions and erode India’s pluralistic ethos.

The shrine of Baba Bulleh Shah, a revered Sufi poet known for his message of love, tolerance and humanism, was recently vandalised in Uttarakhand, triggering criticism from various quarters. [KNT]

Srinagar, Jan 27; Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday rescued an elderly woman stranded in a remote area of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district following heavy snowfall that blocked all access routes.

An official said the woman, identified as Zeba Begum, was trapped in the Rakh Shehlal Harni Pura area after the region received heavy snowfall since Monday night.

After being alerted by the family, a police team was rushed to the spot with a JCB machine to clear the road and safely evacuate her, the official said.

She was subsequently shifted to a nearby hospital for medical attention, he added.

In a separate incident in Baramulla district, police personnel carried the body of a man, who died of natural causes in Sangrama, on their shoulders over snow-bound tracks to hand it over to his family after vehicles were unable to reach the location, the officials said. (KNS)

Srinagar, Jan 27: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has evacuated 60 people and reopened a strategic road in Jammu and Kashmir after a challenging high-altitude operation.

An official said the Bhaderwah-Chatergala axis, at an altitude of 10,500 feet, was cut off due to heavy snowfall.

He said the 118 Road Construction Company of the BRO’s 35 Border Roads Task Force under ‘Project Sampark’ worked for nearly 40 hours to clear the route.

Approximately 38 kilometres of road, covered under five to six feet of snow, was cleared, he said.

“The route was opened by the evening of January 25, enabling the safe evacuation of 20 stranded civilians and 40 troops of 4 Rashtriya Rifles along with weapons and stores,” the official said.

He said the rescue mission was completed by 02:30 hours with zero casualties.

The operation was executed in close coordination with the Indian Army, ensuring swift relief and restoration of critical communication links in the region, he added. (KNS)

Jammu, Jan 27: The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) has been closed for traffic on Monday following fresh snowfall in and around the Navyug Tunnel, officials said.

An official said, no vehicular movement is being allowed from Jammu towards Srinagar or vice versa. In addition, the Mughal Road, Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri (SSG) Road and Sinthan Road are already closed due to adverse weather and road conditions.

Authorities have advised people not to travel on these routes until the roads are fully restored and declared safe for vehicular movement. Commuters have also been cautioned against believing rumours and urged to rely only on official traffic updates.

For authentic information, people have been asked to check the Traffic Police Twitter handle @Traffic_hqrs, Facebook page facebook.com/jammuandkashmirtrafficpolice, or contact the Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Jammu, Srinagar and Ramban. (KNC)