Union tourism minister toying with idea of Geo- tourism in Narmada valley

BHOPAL: The Union ministry of tourism is working on projects to develop a Geo tourism circuit in Mahakaushal region of Narmada valley. With some of the best tiger reserves of the world within a 200-km radius around Jabalpur, it also has the Lamheta formation or Intertrappean beds, Bhedaghat - the famous marble rocks - and Ghughva fossil national park in the neighbouring Dindori disrict.
Union minister of tourism Prahalad Patel said, “These places are never projected as they should have been showcased on the world stage of tourism.”
Talking exclusively with TOI, Patel said that "the ministry is working on a concept on how Narmada valley can be a focus area of tourism”.
An MP from Damoh in Bundelkhand, Prahalad Patel belongs to Narsighpur district — situated on the banks of river Narmada. The place is known for holding the Narmada parikrama (circumambulation) a number of times.
Referring to Jabalpur, he said, “If we consider Jabalpur as the centre point, no place in the world has seen so much of geological change, we can have a Geo park in Jabalpur. There is no Geo park in the country.”
“Lamheta formation is the oldest among the three, and 18 out of 27 dinosaur fossils are found here. Bhedaghat is a part of Narmada River Valley, which has very old rocks of pre-historic time. About 100 km away from Jabalpur is located the Ghughva fossil national park in Dindori district,” he explained.
There are numerous plant, leaf, fruit, seed, and shell fossils that are found in Ghughva, some of them date as far back as 65 million years.
“Though these geological hotspots are known to the world, we have not focused on them,” Patel said, adding, “I don’t blame any one for this.”
He said, “Concept pe kaam chal rahaa hai ki Narmada valley ko, develop ho saken.. sari usi k kinare.. poori valley ko promote karna hai.. .. tourism ko sirf hotel mein raat bitana nahi hai. (Working on concept to develop tourism activities in Narmada valley. The whole valley needs to be promoted, spending one night in a hotel doesn’t mean tourism)”
Amid the changing perception of tourism, he said Narmada valley fulfils all expectations of tourists. “As and when it is done (conceptualization and implementation), we will let you know.”