The Centre for Promotion of Geoheritage and Geotourism (CPGG), a division of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) dedicated to conserving India’s geologically, ecologically, culturally, and environmentally significant sites, is taking proactive steps to enhance the protection of Mandro Fossil Park in Jharkhand.
A delegation of Dr. Shilpa Pandey, Convener of CPGG and a Senior Scientist, BSIP Director Prof. M. G. Thakkar and Dr. Suresh Kumar Pillai, a senior scientist specializing in Gondwana fossils, will be visiting Mandro Fossil Park located in the Sahibganj district of Jharkhand from May 12 to 15, 2024. The team will be assisted by local expert and geologist Prof. Ranjit Kumar Singh, the Principal of the Model College Rajmahal, Sahibganj under the Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka.
The purpose of this visit is to provide scientific support for the ongoing conservation efforts at Mandro Fossil Park.
In 2021, the BSIP had identified and recommended the scientific importance of plant fossils and the need for improved fossil displays and conservation measures at the park, in collaboration with the Jharkhand Forest Department. Now, under the phase 3 development plan of the park, there is a requirement for further scientific input and the establishment of a field laboratory on-site.
The Mandro area of Jharkhand has been pivotal in the study of Upper Gondwana plant fossils since 1850, with the discovery of plant fossils dating back 150 to 170 million years. This significant discovery led to extensive research spearheaded by Prof Birbal Sahni, the founding figure of the BSIP. Consequently, Mandro Fossil Park stands as a critical site for preservation and conservation from a scientific perspective.
During their visit, the BSIP team aims to solidify their commitment to Mandro Fossil Park’s conservation efforts by signing an official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Jharkhand, Forest Department. This collaborative agreement underscores the mutual dedication to safeguarding and promoting the geological and paleontological heritage of the region.
The expertise brought by the BSIP delegation is expected to further bolster the development and preservation of Mandro Fossil Park, reinforcing its status as a crucial site for the study and conservation of India’s geological and fossil heritage.
