Preserve fossil wealth of Kutch, govt told

Are fossils from the ancient land of Kutch smuggled out to be illegally sold in Mumbai to be decorative pieces in houses of the rich?

"I have heard about this illegal trade in the metropolis. The state government must stop this, as it had done in the Panchmahals some years ago, when fossilized dinosaur eggs were sold," said Dr Pulin Vasa, a physician turned archaeologist, at a conference of  the historians of Kutch here on Sunday. Vasa is credited with unearthing an important archaeological site at Nani Rayan village, and later publishing a book, Nani Rayan: The mystery unveiled, on it.

The conference took note of Dr Vasa's point and resolved that a special chapter on Kutch fossils be incorporated in the new history book because of the fossils' importance, which go back to the early period of formation of this peninsula
Later talking to DNA, Vasa said that since the land of Kutch belonged to Mezozoic and Jurassic period, many fossils, both of plants and animals, were found from the sand stones. "I have a collection of such fossils from Kutch, with the most precious being that of a fossilized dinosaur egg with a fully developed embryo within. The embryo was revealed in a CT scan of the egg," he said

He said these fossils were required for studies to understand the life that existed millions of years ago. They should not be used as decorative pieces in the houses of rich people. "Some of them can help reveal the secret of our life that existed millions of years ago. I, therefore, feel that the govt should act swiftly to see that no fossils go out of Kutch," he said, adding one Mohansinh Sodha had a huge collection of fossils and kept them in a fossil park developed by him for public display.

He said Kutch was a favourite destination for students of palaeontology. Therefore, this wealth of Kutch must be preserved.