Gondwana Marine Fossil Park in Manendragarh Gains National Recognition

Gondwana Marine Fossil Park, located in Manendragarh, has received a new recognition at the national level.
Manendragarh DFO Manish Kashyap Honoured with “Nexus of Good” Awards.

Raipur, Nov 2025 : Gondwana Marine Fossil Park, situated in Manendragarh, has earned national-level recognition.

The moment of pride came when Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Manendragarh, Shri Manish Kashyap, was honoured with the “Nexus of Good Foundation Awards 2025” in Delhi. He received this award for developing Asia’s largest and 290-million-year-old Gondwana Marine Fossil Park and bringing it into the national spotlight. Among selected innovative works in the environment protection category, his innovation was especially appreciated.

About Nexus of Good Awards
Nexus of Good Foundation, an organisation of serving and retired IAS and IPS officers across the country, works to identify and promote innovative initiatives undertaken for social good. This year, a total of 150 innovation-based entries were received, out of which 26 best initiatives were selected. The selection was done by a committee headed by former UPSC Chairman and senior IAS officer Deepak Gupta. Former Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India and retired IAS officer B.K. Chaturvedi attended the ceremony as the chief guest. Notably, this is the second consecutive year that DFO Manish Kashyap has received national recognition. Earlier, in 2024, his innovation “Mahua Bachao Abhiyan” — an initiative to revive the declining Mahua tree population — had also received national appreciation.

Gondwana Marine Fossil Park – Asia’s Unique Natural Heritage Site
The Gondwana Marine Fossil Park in Manendragarh is Asia’s largest marine fossil site. There are only five such fossil sites in India where marine fossils are found. Although discovered in 1954, this extraordinary natural heritage did not receive much attention in the tourism sector for a long time. Under the leadership of the Forest Department, it has now been scientifically preserved and artistically developed in recent years. Giant natural granite rocks have been carved with sculptures of 35 ancient species, including prehistoric marine creatures and dinosaur species, giving visitors a direct glimpse into ancient history.

The cactus garden developed in the park, the modern interpretation centre, and the boating facility introduced in the Hasdeo River have enhanced its tourism appeal even further. Since its inauguration in April 2025, more than 13,000 tourists have visited the site. A large number of visitors are also arriving from Madhya Pradesh, indicating that tourist footfall is expected to rise rapidly in the coming years.

Until now, tourists in the Sarguja division were primarily drawn to Mainpat. But Gondwana Marine Fossil Park is now emerging quickly as a new favourite destination. It is not only enhancing the identity of Manendragarh district but also strengthening eco-tourism prospects across the entire region. This achievement has placed Manendragarh prominently on the national map, and DFO Manish Kashyap’s contribution has become an inspiring example of environmental conservation and innovative management.