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Fossil park, biodiversity site in the offing
Heritage lovers and fossil experts’ date with priceless items from the Cretaceous period of Rajmahal seems to be nearing.
The forest department of Jharkhand has found a solution to land acquisition issues and is on its way to set up a fossil park and biodiversity heritage site in Sahebjang district.
The biodiversity and wildlife section of the department has sent the final proposal to Principal Chief Conservator of Forest AK Singh on January 7. A senior official said the entire area carries precious materials of historic importance and has been divided into two segments, based on its ownership.
“There are two types of land available, GM land under the possession of the Government and raiyati (private) land. Earlier villagers, who were reluctant to give the land to the Government for developing the heritage site, were resisting the plan. In view of the resistance, we found a solution and proposed to develop the site under the Biodiversity Act 2002 in which acquiring the land is not a necessity,” the senior official said.
The biodiversity site will come up at Tara Pahar area of the Mandro block of the district.
Earlier several efforts of the department to acquire the land under the Forest Act proved futile and the Government had to backtrack leaving the entire project in limbo. Rajmahal is considered a treasure trove of fossils dating back to the Cretaceous period, Jurassic age and the Mesozoic era that also includes rich plant fossils.
“About 37.75 hectares of GM land, which do not involve much problems, has been finalised to be developed as fossil park at Gurmi Pahar of Mandro block. The land will be demarcated under the Forest Act and Wild Life Protection Act,” said AK Malhotra, PCCF, Wild Life and Biodiversity. Proposal has been sent for final approval of the Government in October last year for the fossil park.
Although the idea to set fossil park was first conceived back in 2002 but it got stuck midway due to various issue. “With the biodiversity heritage site coming up, the locals will be roped-in as eco-tourists and get job opportunities as guides and caretakers. It will attach them with the project to cooperate better in completion of the work,” added Malhotra.
Officials of the department worked hard in bringing the twin project to a win-win situation for the department and locals by involving them directly into it without hurting the sentimental aspects of the people related to land acquisition. A proposal for allowing their land to be utilised for the heritage site will be approved by the Gram Sabha of the area before being initiated formally.
“Ownership of the land belonging to raiyats would remain with them. This clause of the Act made the deal. Involving the locals was very important as their lands carry more fossil than the Government land. After getting final approval of the State Government, fencing and development of the area would take place,” said a senior official of the forest department.
Heritage lovers and fossil experts’ date with priceless items from the Cretaceous period of Rajmahal seems to be nearing.
The forest department of Jharkhand has found a solution to land acquisition issues and is on its way to set up a fossil park and biodiversity heritage site in Sahebjang district.
The biodiversity and wildlife section of the department has sent the final proposal to Principal Chief Conservator of Forest AK Singh on January 7. A senior official said the entire area carries precious materials of historic importance and has been divided into two segments, based on its ownership.
“There are two types of land available, GM land under the possession of the Government and raiyati (private) land. Earlier villagers, who were reluctant to give the land to the Government for developing the heritage site, were resisting the plan. In view of the resistance, we found a solution and proposed to develop the site under the Biodiversity Act 2002 in which acquiring the land is not a necessity,” the senior official said.
The biodiversity site will come up at Tara Pahar area of the Mandro block of the district.
Earlier several efforts of the department to acquire the land under the Forest Act proved futile and the Government had to backtrack leaving the entire project in limbo. Rajmahal is considered a treasure trove of fossils dating back to the Cretaceous period, Jurassic age and the Mesozoic era that also includes rich plant fossils.
“About 37.75 hectares of GM land, which do not involve much problems, has been finalised to be developed as fossil park at Gurmi Pahar of Mandro block. The land will be demarcated under the Forest Act and Wild Life Protection Act,” said AK Malhotra, PCCF, Wild Life and Biodiversity. Proposal has been sent for final approval of the Government in October last year for the fossil park.
Although the idea to set fossil park was first conceived back in 2002 but it got stuck midway due to various issue. “With the biodiversity heritage site coming up, the locals will be roped-in as eco-tourists and get job opportunities as guides and caretakers. It will attach them with the project to cooperate better in completion of the work,” added Malhotra.
Officials of the department worked hard in bringing the twin project to a win-win situation for the department and locals by involving them directly into it without hurting the sentimental aspects of the people related to land acquisition. A proposal for allowing their land to be utilised for the heritage site will be approved by the Gram Sabha of the area before being initiated formally.
“Ownership of the land belonging to raiyats would remain with them. This clause of the Act made the deal. Involving the locals was very important as their lands carry more fossil than the Government land. After getting final approval of the State Government, fencing and development of the area would take place,” said a senior official of the forest department.
