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In an unprecedented initiative, the Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board is championing the inclusion of Salkhan Fossil Park in the UNESCO World Heritage Site registry. This endeavor coincides with the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting held from July 21 to 31 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, marking India’s first hosting of this notable event.

Salkhan Fossil Park, estimated to be around 1.4 billion years old and situated in the Sonbhadra district, represents a significant geological heritage that the Uttar Pradesh board is eager to preserve and promote on a global scale. This effort is supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the largest and most diverse environmental network worldwide, established in 1948. With over 1,400 member organizations and 16,000 experts, the IUCN plays a crucial role in advising on the conservation needs of natural sites globally.

During the committee’s session, the IUCN is advocating for a greater focus on nature conservation. Discussions will cover the inclusion of new sites in the World Heritage List and address the necessary conservation and management strategies for existing sites under threat.

To further their cause, the Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Board held a constructive meeting with IUCN officials. Notably, Mr. Tim Badman, Director of the IUCN World Heritage Programme, and prominent figures such as V.B. Mathur (Retd. IFS & Ex-Director, WII), Dr. Shikha from DRONAH, Dr. Shilpa Pandey, a geologist and senior scientist at BSIP, and Akash Priyadarshi, OSD of UP Tourism, participated.

Local institutions like the Forest Department, Banaras Hindu University, and DRONAH are actively involved in assessing the park’s value according to international standards, highlighting its unique natural heritage.

Jaiveer Singh, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, expressed optimism about the initiative. “Our concerted efforts to have Salkhan Fossil Park listed as a World Heritage Site are in full swing, with strategic meetings already making headway under the guidance of IUCN’s Tim Badman,” he stated. The campaign underscores the global significance of the park and its potential to attract international attention and conservation efforts.

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