Fossil Park located in Sahebganj district is an important tourist destination. This park is famous for its ancient fossils and natural beauty.
Various types of fossils and stone age remains can be seen here, which help in understanding the geological history.
The Fossil Park of Sahebganj offers a unique combination of education and entertainment to the tourists, making it an ideal travel destination.
Fossil Park Introduction
The story began in the year 1946, when Professor Birbal Sahni, founder of Lucknow’s Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), first visited the densely forested region of Rajmahal Hills in the Indian state of Jharkhand.
The rich and historically vibrant setting of the region worked like magic on Sahni, who frequently visited the site from 1946-1948. Over time, his visits led to the discovery of several specimens of petrified wood. Since then, the region is considered a gold mine for plant fossils from the early Cretaceous period.
Scientists at BSIP believe that the Rajmahal Hills region may have been home to early angiosperms (or flowering plants), hence, any significant fossils from the region could lead to a significant understanding of the evolution of plants on the planet.
Fossil evidence on early Cretaceous animal life from the Rajmahal Hills region is scanty. The scientists of BSIP are working closely with the forest officials of the Government of Jharkhand and are playing a vital role in the conservation and documentation of plant specimens (permineralized fossil wood and leaf impressions) of the region.
Their efforts will not only be helpful in spreading awareness across the country about the paleontological significance of the region but also in documenting and preserving the fossils recovered for the future generations.
Exploring the region
The Mandro Fossil Park is located at Mandro, a community block in Sahibganj district of Jharkhand, situated in the forest area of Gurmi in the Rajmahal Hills. It broadly constitutes the areas of Sahibganj, Pakur, Dhumka and Godda districts of Jharkhand.
The Rajmahal Basin is characterized by rocks of the early Cretaceous period or about 120 million years ago, when present-day Africa and South America separated from Australia, India and Antarctica. This was the time when dinosaurs still roamed the earth and the climate was warm and sea levels were rising.
Thus the rocks in the basin belong to the ‘Rajmahal Formation’, which is characterised by the presence of volcano-sedimentary deposits and basalt flows. Due to its extensive coal and mineral resources as well as well-preserved and diverse plant fossils, the Rajmahal Basin is considered a historical and economic reservoir.
The region has excellent plant fossils older than 100 million years naturally preserved. Tara Village adjoining Mandro has a truly in-situ gymnospermous petrified fossil forest indicating the existence of a well-preserved forest about ~120 million years ago.
Preliminary research on plant fossils has revealed similarities between the Early Cretaceous flora discovered in Antarctica and Australia and the Indian fossil flora (Ptilophyllum flora) present in the Rajmahal Hills region.
The plant fossils being recovered from the region may also provide important clues to understanding the important early evolutionary history of angiosperms (flowering plants) on our planet and the floral ecology of the past. Thus, continued paleontological efforts in the Rajmahal hill area can be quite beneficial.
Importance of preserving the area
The geological discoveries being made in the region have necessitated large-scale conservation efforts to preserve the fossil-rich localities of the Rajmahal basin.
For this purpose, in 2002, leading scientists of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences recommended the creation of the Rajmahal Fossil Park-a joint initiative between the State of Jharkhand and the Institute.
The potential site for the development of the fossil park as well as the eco-tourism complex was identified as Mandro.
The main objectives behind the creation of the fossil park were not limited to conservation purposes alone but also included
Creating widespread awareness in the country about the historical and geological significance of the fossils found in the region.
Establishment of a museum attached to the park would also ensure that the specimens obtained are duly catalogued and systematically displayed for the benefit of all visitors.
The long-term plan of this proposal included setting up of a Research and Development (R&D) wing within the park, which was to be initially headed by scientists from BSIP.
Tracking Conservation Efforts
A recent field visit by scientists of Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow to Mandro Fossil Park in Sahibganj district of Jharkhand highlighted the ongoing efforts to protect and conserve the region.
From 9th to 13th March 2021, scientists Dr. S. Suresh Kumar Pillai and Dr. Vivesh Vir Kapoor under the authority of Institute Director Dr. Vandana Prasad visited Mandro Fossil Park and adjoining areas of Gilamari, Bascobedo, Bascola and Tara.
At the behest of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Shri Manish Tiwari, IFS; both the scientists visited the site for various fossiliferous or fossil rich localities and eco tourism complexes.
During the visit, the two-member team of BSIP also demonstrated the extraction, transportation and inventory of wood fossils or petrified wood to the accompanying forest officials. Interestingly, almost all the petrified fossil wood can be retrieved by surface prospecting or ex-situ.
However, some larger specimens that were partially buried about 1 m below the ground required in-situ conservation or careful extraction. The BSIP scientists also made recommendations on the display of the extracted fossil wood within four vertical huts or galleries constructed within the Mandro Fossil Park and Museum (still under construction).
Strengthening conservation efforts An important step in conservation involves cataloguing individual specimens so that the fossil wood can be arranged location-wise. Care was taken at the Fossil Park to store the wood specimens under sheds to avoid physical damage caused by excessive sunlight or rain.
Each specimen was carefully catalogued in dedicated registers citing unique identification marks. Once the cataloguing was duly completed, some selected specimens were carefully cut and grinded to expose internal features such as tree rings and cortex.
This process was also discreetly demonstrated before officials. BSIP scientists recommended construction of a dedicated ‘lathe’ or small workshop within the Mandro Fossil Park to expedite the process of cutting and grinding of the specimens.
Additionally, the scientists made several recommendations for the development of the park, including
The existing huts or galleries in the park can be used wisely to display the specimens obtained.
Display of small and large size prepared (cut and milled) petrified wood specimens can be considered at various open spaces within the Mandro Fossil Park for better visitor experience.
Each hut or gallery can be named after an eminent scientist who has contributed extensively in the field of paleobotany and allied aspects in the Rajmahal region of Jharkhand.
Additionally, since each hut will be used to display a few specimens, the landscape around the huts can be uniquely designed to be in sync with the history of the specimen being displayed.
This can be achieved by installing endemic flora of the Mandro region within the gallery for a richer experience for the visitors.
Finally, the scientists recommended that exhibiting the petrified fossil wood samples in their original habitat itself, i.e. in the villages near Mandro where they were discovered, would be a unique experience for visitors.
The Future of Mandro Fossil Park
Given how rich and geologically vibrant the Mandro region is, the BSIP team recommended the widespread promotion of paleontological studies and allied research aspects in the region.
For this purpose, some sediment samples were collected from the Mandro Fossil Park and the nearby area of Gurmi for further analysis at the institute. Samples including leaf imprints were also collected from places such as Bascola and Bascogedo.
Finally, their enriching visit to the Mandro Fossil Park led the BSIP scientists to appreciate the creation of museum galleries within the park, to specifically showcase and promote the rich geological and paleontological wealth of the region.
Currently, preparatory work is underway to establish a research and development wing attached to the museum at Mandro Fossil Park, in the development of which BSIP scientists will play an active role.
BSIP scientists have brought to light the rich geological history through their work at Mandro Fossil Park, which is located in the Rajmahal Hills of Jharkhand and now needs adequate coverage as a National Geographical Heritage Site.
FAQ’s
Fossil Park is a major tourist destination located in Sahebganj district where ancient fossils can be seen.
In Fossil Park you can see various types of ancient fossils, remains of flora and fauna.
The best time to visit Fossil Park is between October to March when the weather remains pleasant.
The nearest railway station to reach Fossil Park is Sahebganj and local transport is available from there.
The ticket for entry into Fossil Park is Rs.10, and the ticket for entering the museum is Rs.30.