#Fossil #National-Park,#Ghughua-#Madhya-Pradesh

The Ghughua Fossil National Park of Madhya Pradesh is situated in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh State. One among the smallest parks in the country, Ghughua Fossil National Park is a unique destination in India A small diversion from the route between Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks, people travelling between Kanha and Bandhavgarh stop here to visit this park. Hundreds of tourists mainly archaeologist, scientist and paleobotanny students visits this park every year. It is about 105 kms from Jabalpur city.

This fossil park is managed by forest department of Madhya Pradesh. Ghughua is about 75 km from Mandla City and 15 km from Shahpura town .The park covers an area of 2, 74,100 sq meters in Ghuguwa, Umaria, Deorakhurd, Barb Spur, Chanti-hills, Chargaon and Deori Kohani villages.

Ghughwa Fossil Park have collection of about 6.5 million years old plant fossils. These fossils were discovered by Dr. Dharmendra Prasad, Dr. S. R. Ingle and Dr. M. B. Bande around early 80s and Realizing the importance of this natural wonder, India government declared this place as a National Park in 1983. Contains, a priceless treasure trove of plant fossils, Ghughua Fossil National Park is the largest Fossil Park in Asia and second largest in world.

One of the plates displayed at the Fossil National Park questions about the value of the fossils discovered at the site cause of its age. It was stated being priceless as it came from deep history. Can you guess what is average age of the Fossils that were excavated from Ghughwa? Hmmmm around 65 millions years, probably when humans also did not exist on Earth. We were welcomed by guide of the Forest Department, who explained us about formation of Fossils and drifting of the continents over years, coupled with volcanoes and lava that buried the geography around Ghughwa to be excavated 65 millions years later by few Indian scientists of modern age.The site is invaluable for its collection of the plant fossils ranging from Eucalyptus, Coconut and Palm.

 

fossilized Dinosaur Egg 

The park also exhibits a fossilized Dinosaur Egg along with a complete Eucalyptus tree that has broken in to multiple parts, that by now turned in to solid stone like material. It is a recommended place to visit while in transit. Spend around an hour or two at the site to really peek in to past history of Earth. Carry your own food and water, as the location of the National Park is remote. Wear sport shoes as it involves walk of at least 1 to 2 kms in and around the National Park, in case you are keen to see the fossils half-buried lying within the crust of the mother Earth. The National Park is equipped with toilet and small rest house that can be booked by requesting the Forest Officer located at Dindori.

I would repeat that it is imperative for people who understand basic science and love to know about past of human mankind, planning a visit to this National Park, which otherwise is yet virgin and unexploited.