Jaisalmer has potential for geological parks

JAISALMER: Research teams from St. Xavier's, Mumbai, Rajasthan University (RU) and Agarkar Research Institute, Pune are on a visit to Jaisalmer's fossil belt and experts believe that the location is ideal for being developed as a geological heritage park in future.
In a recommendation to the district administration, prof. Dhirendra Kumar Pandey, department of sociology (RU) has suggested to develop nature parks at different locations as most of the areas are protected.Since 1978, Pandey has been engaged in exploring and unearthing mysteries of Jaisalmer basin.
"With areas being declared as natural parks, a regular check can be maintained on the encroachments. This will also ensure systematic development and generate revenue for the government through eco-tourism,'' the professor added.
Jaisalmer region has a rich natural wealth and therefore, Nature Park can be developed at places like Akal National Park or Akal Wood Fossils Park, Thaiat Scarp section near Thaiyat village, Khuri Road section (about 4 kms south of Jaisalmer), Fort section, Bada Bag section, Rupsi section, Bhadasar ridge-section, Nala section, north of Bhadasar ridge, Kahla village-section, Kuldhar river-section, Jajiya river-section.
"Jaisalmer basin is a classical sedimentary basin in Jurassic sediments and fossils of the southern margin of the Tethys Sea. It attracts geoscientists and general tourists from all over the world for its unique geological and cultural heritage,'' he explained. "We have the opportunity to explore evolution of life, establish changes in paleo-environmental parameters, such as water energy, nutrition supply, sea-level, temperature, depth, substratum, oxygen level, salinity, organic carbon content in rocks and fossils, etc,'' Pandey added
Indian sub-continent was located in the southern hemisphere, south of Equator during Jurassic period.