Dinosaur Fossils National Park
| Dinosaur Fossils National Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Bagh, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Area | 89.4 ha |
| Established | 2011 |
| Governing body | Department of Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh |
Dinosaur Fossils National Park is a protected fossil site located near the town of Bagh in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, India. The park conserves Late Cretaceous-era fossil deposits, including dinosaur eggs bones, and associated flora and fauna. It is one of the few designated fossil parks in India and a proposed site for UNESCO Global Geopark recognition.[1][2][3]
Location and extent
[edit]The park is situated in the Narmada Valley and covers approximately 89.4 hectares. The site lies within sedimentary rock formations known for yielding fossil material from the Late Cretaceous period, dating between 100 and 66 million years ago.[4]
Discovery and establishment
[edit]Tribals of the surrounding region used to worship the petrified stone eggs as their guardian deity for centuries. Fossils in the Bagh region were first documented in the early 2000s. In 2006, the discovery of a well-preserved dinosaur egg led to increased interest from researchers and the state government. Further investigations revealed additional eggs, bone fragments, and fossils of ancient marine species. In response to the scientific significance of the site, the Government of Madhya Pradesh declared the area a protected fossil park in 2011.[5]
Fossil record
[edit]The fossil beds at the site have yielded:
- Dinosaur eggs attributed to herbivorous species
- Skeletal remains of sauropods and abelisaurids
- Fossilised teeth of prehistoric sharks
- Petrified wood and plant remains
- Marine invertebrates such as molluscs[6][7]
UNESCO global geopark proposal
[edit]In 2022, the Madhya Pradesh Ecotourism Development Board initiated preparations to nominate the site for UNESCO Global Geopark status. The proposal highlights the Bagh fossil beds as among the oldest known dinosaur nesting sites in Asia. The initiative is supported by geologists and conservation experts, with the aim of promoting scientific research, heritage conservation, and sustainable tourism.[5][8]
Conservation and public outreach
[edit]The park is managed by the Department of Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh. Conservation efforts include preservation of in-situ fossil material and development of visitor infrastructure. Interpretive trails and exhibits are under development to enhance public awareness of India's palaeontological heritage.[9][10]
See also
[edit]- Ghughua Fossil Park
- Shivalik Fossil Park
- Raiyoli Dinosaur Fossil Park
- List of fossil sites
- Paleontology in India
- Geopark
References
[edit]- ^ "Where fossils meet faith in a Madhya Pradesh district". The Indian Express. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Rocks Worshipped As 'Kuldevtas' In Madhya Pradesh Are Dinosaur Eggs". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Madhya Pradesh - One of the largest dinosaur hatcheries in the world uncovered". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Dinosaur Fossil National Park Bagh". District Dhar, Government of Madhya Pradesh. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ a b Mekaad, Salil (18 November 2022). "Bagh dinosaur site may be India's first Unesco Global Geopark". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Researchers Discover "Abnormal" Dinosaur Egg In Madhya Pradesh. It Offers New Insights". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Dinosaur National Park: एमपी के इस जिले में रहते थे विशालकाय डायनासोर, फुटप्रिंट और करोड़ों साल पुराने अंडे आज भी हैं मौजूद". mpcg.ndtv.in (in Hindi). Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ Jana, Pratyusha (21 November 2022). "Trip To Earth's Archaeological Past: Bagh In Madhya Pradesh Awaiting UNESCO Recognition As India's First Global Geopark". Curly Tales. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Researchers find 'abnormal' dinosaur eggs in Madhya Pradesh. They have bird-like features". India Today. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Will Madhya Pradesh's Bagh become India's first UNESCO Global Geopark? | Times of India Travel". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 14 June 2025.