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"After stopping at the monastery for few minutes, we trekked down to the
valley and then started the slow climb towards Langza. During the walk
through the entire stretch, we saw several hundreds of fossils, which
looked almost like a work of art. Considered to be one of the most
fossiliferous regions of the world, Spiti Valley tells us the story
behind the trilobites and ammonites that were formed after the collision
of Indo-Eurasian sub-continent.
While observing the beauty of the fossils lying in the streams and
nearby valleys, one can't just stop for a second and think, 'Oh my, how
could I believe that this entire mountain stretch that we stand now at
around 4,300 MSL was part of Tethys sea some 200 million years before!'
Geologists say that the larger continent of Pangea started to split into
various land masses as a result of which, the two main land masses of
Indian and Eurasian subcontinent started depositing large amounts of
sediments into Tethys. Further collision over the period of time helped
form the present Himalayas and those marine animals that we see now as
fossils including the ammonites used to be present in the Tethys at that
time.
While we stood there breathless thinking about the entire process, we
heard stories of local boys who collect the fossils to sell it to
tourists from different parts of the world. What should be priceless is
sold for as cheap as less than a US dollar! It seems there are tourists
who proudly announce that this is their 3rd or 4th visit to collect
fossils in the last couple of years!
The story wasn't much different even in the small town of Kaza where you
can see the fossils kept amongst the antiques on sale for a dollar or
two! It seems there are discussions of setting up a geological museum so
that at least what is remaining can be preserved. With an un-patrolled
area as vast as Spiti valley and irresponsible tourists searching for
fossils, it makes more sense to have a museum where these fossils can be
displayed.
It will be sad if this happens as I personally prefer to see these
fossils in its natural ambiance where responsible travellers and the
locals understand the importance of the existence of these fossils to
the evolution of the entire mankind and the earth itself".
© GP
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