Our aim was to transform a neglected natural heritage site into a living museum of Earth’s ancient history.
First Rock Garden
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.
What sets Gondwana Fossil Park apart is not just its scientific value, but its development as a vibrant tourism destination. The transformation began just five years ago, thanks to the vision of DFO Manish Kashyap (IFS 2015 batch). Under his leadership, the Forest Department reimagined the site-drawing inspiration from Gujarat and Jharkhand’s dinosaur fossil parks while introducing new and unique elements.
“Our aim was to transform a neglected natural heritage site into a living museum of Earth’s ancient history. The Gondwana Marine Fossil Park and Chhattisgarh’s first Jurassic Rock Garden reflect our commitment to conservation-led tourism and education. We wanted every visitor-scientist, student, or traveller-to walk away with a sense of wonder and learning.”
- Manish Kashyap, DFO Manendragarh (IFS 2015)
The most prominent among them is the Jurassic Rock Garden-Chhattisgarh’s first-featuring 35 massive stone sculptures carved from natural granite. These life-size models of prehistoric land and amphibian creatures offer a window into the past when human life didn’t exist.
To deepen visitor engagement, an Interpretation Center explains the fossilization process and Earth’s 4.5-billion-year journey through paintings and fossil displays. Visitors can also explore nature trails, enjoy bamboo rafting in the Hasdeo River, and soon, stroll through a cactus garden and bamboo setum-features rarely found in any other fossil park in India.
Earlier, Saraguja division was primarily known for Mainpat, but this innovative initiative is reshaping the region’s tourism profile. Minister Jaiswal praised the Forest Department, calling the project “a testament to our ancient natural heritage” and a future “tourism icon of Chhattisgarh.”
The Gondwana Marine Fossil Park is more than a tourist site-it’s a scientific treasure, an educational space, and a model for sustainable tourism. With its rare fossils, immersive attractions, and ecological value, Manendragarh Forest Division is now firmly on the map of global fossil tourism.
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