In a landmark step for eco-tourism and geological heritage, Chhattisgarh inaugurated its first Jurassic Rock Garden and the country’s most unique marine fossil park-Gondwana Marine Fossil Park-on April 26. Located in the scenic Manendragarh Forest Division, the park was inaugurated by Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal and is now poised to become a leading destination for both tourists and researchers.

The park holds fossils dating back 290 million years, from the Permian era, making it Asia’s largest marine fossil site. Discovered in 1954 by geologist S.K. Ghosh, the fossils stretch over a kilometer along the Hasdeo River, featuring remains of ancient marine creatures such as bivalves, gastropods, brachiopods, and crinoids. It has also been officially declared a National Geological Monument.