Offbeat Alert: Did You Know About This Fossil Park In Madhya Pradesh With Relics From Millions Of Years Ago?

It’s not every day that one gets to learn about the past through artefacts that are millions of years old. But the Ghughwa National Fossil Park in Madhya Pradesh is such a place. Located 83 kilometres from Jabalpur, the gateway to some of the state’s most esteemed tiger reserves, the fossil park is blessed with a priceless treasure trove of plant remains that existed in India between 40 million and 150 million years ago. Spread over 75 acres of land, the site was declared a national park in 1983 but was first discovered by Dr Dharmendra Prasad, a statistical officer of the Mandla district and honorary secretary of the district archaeology unit, in 1970.Here’s what you can expect from a visit to Ghughwa National Fossil Park in between trips to Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park.Origins Of The ParkWhen Prasad came across plant fossils in this section of the Dindori region, he sent them for further study to the Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany in Lucknow (now known as the Birbal Sahni Institution of Palaeosciences). His discovery put the region on the map of palaeontologists, bringing scientists, students and even tourists to this quiet place in Madhya Pradesh. The plan to build a park came about in a bid to share the wonders of the fossils with the rest of the world.Time Travelling To A Distant PastThe open-air fossil park has largely left the site where these relics were discovered intact. The fossil record of Ghughwa consists mainly of plants from the early Cretaceous and Cenozoic periods, which range from 145 to 66 million years ago. So far, 31 genera belonging to 18 families have been identified here, with a preponderance of palms and dicotyledons (a group of flowering plants). Fossils of eucalyptus trees, which are native to Australia, indicate a time when the Gondwana supercontinent existed on Earth some 600 million years ago. Leaves, fruits and seed fossils can also be found at the park. Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Fossils Discovered In MeghalayaOther petrified plants include ancient date palms, jamun, banana, rudraksh (Elaeocarpus ganitrus), aonla (Phyllanthus emblica), gymnosperms, bryophytes and monocotyledons. In addition to this, fossils of some shell-bearing animals have also been found here, which indicates that in the past, the region was much more humid and received far more rainfall than it does today.If you were looking forward to some dinosaur fossils, you’re in luck. The park has a dinosaur egg kept behind protective glass for visitors to marvel at. One of the top experiences people going to Ghughwa National Fossil Park boast about is that the site allows for engaging interactions with the forest officers and caretakers. In fact, they will allow you to even hold a fossil and feel its weight, an experience which compresses millions of years of history into the present moment.Places To Visit Near Ghughwa National Fossil ParkDumna Nature Reserve ParkThis ecotourism site in Jabalpur sprawls across a 1,058-hectare area. It has diverse ecosystems, from woodlands and grasslands to wetlands. Wild animals, including chital, wild boar, leopards, porcupines, jackals, four-horned antelope, crocodiles and over 300 species of birds inhabit the park. Make sure you see the Khandari Dam for boating and fishing opportunities.Bandhavgarh National ParkOne of India’s top tiger reserves, this national park is a must-visit during the winter. It is home to tigers, sambar, barking deer, nilgai, chital, elephants, butterflies and over 240 species of birds, among many other animal species. Explore the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, take photographs of the landscape and wildlife, and learn about the park’s conservation efforts during your time here.Getting ThereTake a flight to Jabalpur Airport (JLR) or the train to Jabalpur Junction (JBP). From there, take a taxi to Ghughwa National Fossil Park.