Redevelopment of fossil park in balasinor
- Vol.88(5-6), May-Jun
- Mumbai The Indian Institute of Architects 2023
- 16-22p.
With the rise of geotourism, many important paleontological field sites are being conserved in a variety of ways. A genuine geo-tourism development strategy based on the local geology and palaeontology is the key to designing the fossil parks. The fossil forest is considered a non-renewable natural resource to be preserved not only for the admiration of future generations but also to impart knowledge on the past climate, past depositional environment of sediments, past geographical conditions, relative age determinations, and past ecology. From a geo-tourism promotion perspective, the fossil forests have exceptional heritage and scientific values, as admired by UNESCO with their recognition under the Global Geo-Park Network. However, the fossils are fragile and very sensitive, even to the processes of weathering, for which special care is mandatory while promoting geotourism in fossil parks. Geo-conservation is a management strategy for the protection of various geo- heritage sites with high scientific and tourism values. The aim of geo-conservation is the dynamic preservation and maintenance of various geo-heritage sites. With a focus on the protection of geosites, geotourism puts emphasis on the optimal utilisation and diffusion of knowledge about earth heritage resources. The knowledge of geosciences imparted through the educational approach of geo-tourism ultimately benefits the community and the protection of the environment at the national and local levels. In order to ensure the best possible protection, it is essential to involve the local communities in geo-conservation because authorities are unable to protect the sites directly due to various constraints. Geotourism yields economic benefit for the community by imparting education and raising awareness about geosites.