Geological  treasure of Guryul ravine section in Kashmir Himalaya - a case report 

Abstract

Globally researchers have unraveled unique locations that helped to understand the chronology of the critical events concerning the Earth's past. Among such geological events, the time-shot of the Permian-Triassic (P-Tr) extinction event is one of the significant revelations concerning the end and start of life on Earth. Among various geological sites in the world that contain the critical information regarding the P-Tr extinction event, Guryul ravine in Kashmir India is geologically a treasure. It bears specimens of primordial corals, small invertebrates, plants, and a group of mammal resembling reptiles, called therapsids. Due to its immense importance, the Government of India had decided to accredit the site of Guryul ravine section as an international fossil park. However, due to political turmoil in the region and unabated mining and industrial activities within the vicinity of it, has threatened the very existence of this scientific wealth. This paper reviews the importance of the Guryul Ravine Section, paleoclimatic conditions of that time, and the current threats it is facing to stimulate the stakeholders for the conservation of this site in the global scientific interest.