“Manendragarh’s Marine Gondwana Fossil Park: A Geo-Heritage Site”

By Aman Nasir

The Chhattisgarh Government has undertaken various significant initiatives to establish a Marine Fossil Park in Manendragarh, situated within the Koriya district. This project was started by the discovery of marine fossils by diligent forest officials in the region. Following this discovery, the renowned Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany in Lucknow was consulted, and their confirmation of the fossil presence led to a recommendation to develop the area into a Geoheritage center.

For this project, the government allocated a budget of Rs 17.50 lakh to support security measures and safeguard the invaluable fossils (write in which year gov allocated this amount). The area has a lot of really old fossils, around 2.5 million years old. 

The primary objective behind establishing the park is to preserve these ancient fossils along with endangered plants and animal species that inhabit the area. The proposed Marine Fossil Park is serving as a showcase for the distinctive Fossiliferous Marine Permian rocks originating from the Gondwana Era. These rocks, belonging to the Talchir Formation of the Gondwana Supergroup, are approximately 280 million years old. 

The designated area for the park spans along the banks of the Hasdeo River and Hasia Nala, encompassing a stretch of about one kilometer upstream from their confluence. The marine fauna found within these rocks includes a predominance of pelecypods/lamellibranchs such as Eurydesma and Aviculopecten, complemented by Bryozoans, Crinoids, and foraminifers.

However, despite the significance of this geological marvel, there are concerns regarding its protection. The area lacks proper guarding, with fences erected by the forest department in a state of disrepair. This underscores the urgency of developing comprehensive security measures to ensure the preservation of these invaluable fossils for future generations.

In 2014, the state government’s forest department collaborated with the Chhattisgarh government to establish the park in the Amakherwa area of Manendragarh. The primary motive behind this initiative was to conserve not only the fossils but also the rare and endangered flora and fauna endemic to the region. By transforming the area into a designated park, authorities hope to create a sanctuary that fosters scientific research, education, and public awareness about the importance of geological heritage and biodiversity conservation.

In light of chhattisgarh government’s  emphasis on the significance of preserving these fossils, plans are underway to inaugurate the park by June. Recognizing the national and international importance of the site, measures have been initiated to support biodiversity conservation, including funding for Biodiversity Management Committees and revenue allocation from forest produce. By working together and staying dedicated, the Marine Fossil Park in Manendragarh will become a place where scientists can learn a lot and where people take care of the environment.