Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 29: Experts and people in Kashmir have urged government to take steps for preservation of fossil sites and use them for promotion of tourism.
Mudasir Ahmad a geology expert and vocational trainer from Kulgam said that tourists rarely visit Aharbal and other sites during lean season but these fossil sites can be promoted as alternate tourist destinations.
“There is need to conserve these fossil sites as these sites are potential resources in every respect and every organization must come forward to preserve them,” he said.
Gulam Ahmad another expert said that fossil sites are very rare but fortunately few sites were discovered in Kulgam district recently and there is a need to preserve them.
He said that the government must take cognizance at the earliest and take immediate steps for its preservation and promotion as it will help us in getting more resources.
Experts said that the sites can be preserved with a little care and they can provide a lot of information about our rich geological past to the future generations.
They emphasised the need to protect and preserve the rich geo heritage by educating the community and locals about the need and significance of preserving them.
People in Kulgam area have also demanded that fossil sites that were discovered last year must be preserved and promoted as tourist sites. The sites are at Noorabad in Kulgam.
Kashmir is rich in fossils that date back millions of years.
Mushtaq Ahmad Beigh, Deputy Director Archives, Archaeology and Museum, Srinagar said that steps are being taken for the preservation of fossil sites.
He said department along with tourism department is planning to establish at site museum in Aharbal area in Kulgam to promote and boost tourism sector as well.
He said that Kulgam where fossil sites were discovered are in snow bound area and every possible step will taken for preservation of fossil sites as site plan and markings have been already done.
