UNESCO World Heritage tag sought for Salkhan Fossil Park

Sonbhadra park rich in 1.4 billion year-old fossils

Eco-Tourism Board of Uttar Pradesh is pushing for the inclusion of 1400-million-year-old Salkhan Fossil Park in the UNESCO World Heritage Site List at the meeting of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) meet that is currently ongoing in Delhi.

With delegates from around the world gathered in Delhi for the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting, that began on July 21 and will continue until end of this month, the government of Uttar Pradesh is making a push for the inclusion of one of the unique sites as a World Heritage Site.

According to a press statement, Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Board has taken a strong initiative to secure international recognition for the 1400-million-year-old Salkhan Fossil Park, emphasising its geological significance and ongoing conservation efforts.

According to the statement, senior officials of the board held a meeting with senior officials of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, including Tim Badman, Director of the IUCN World Heritage Programme.

The statement adds that the Forest Department as well as the Banaras Hindu University have examined the park’s geological significance and heritage according to international standards.

It adds that IUCN is emphasising increased representation and focus on nature conservation at the 46th World Heritage Committee session. The Committee will deliberate on potential World Heritage sites and decide on conservation actions for threatened sites, with over 2,500 representatives from more than 150 countries participating.