Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Jharkhand’s First Fossil Park Opens for Public, Aims At Sustainability And Eco-Tourism

July 8, 2022
Jharkhand’s Fossil Park

To preserve the ruins of the Jurassic era, Jharkhand has opened its first fossil park in the Rajmahal hills. The hill is 193 km away from Sahibganj in Jharkhand to Rampurhat in West Bengal. The whole area has been developed as an ecotourism resort to making the park sustainable. At the same time, the authorities have decided to make it mandatory to operate only battery-powered autorickshaws in the area. By avoiding private vehicles, the state will not only protects the environment but also generates income for the local people.

The remains of these fossils are estimated to be between 145 and 200 million years old. The new 95-acre Fossil Park is open to the public, including a museum, auditorium, study area for students and researchers, and a mini-laboratory. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren recently inaugurated the fossil park.

The construction cost of Mandro Park is Rs 10.75 million. The Fossil Park has been listed as a Geological Heritage Site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The main purpose of creating the park is to raise awareness for the preservation of historical monuments and to promote ecotourism.

With the help of technology, the auditorium will present an audio-visual display of the evolution of plants, fossils, the solar system and much more. Different types of fossils will be presented in 3D format.

CM Hemant Soren said,” This is one of the biggest treasure troves we have in Jharkhand. Mandro hill is one of the rarest places in the world with such fossil finds.” Manish Tiwari, Sahibganj’s divisional forest officer said, as per reports,” Rajmahal Hills in the Santhal Paraganas is believed to be a treasure trove of fossils dating back to the Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous era. The area has the finest plant fossils. But at the same time, due to a lack of awareness among locals here, several fossils got damaged. Now, er can conserve the historical heritages at this park here.”