Salkhan Fossil Park

GS1 – Art & Culture

Context

Salkhan Fossil Park, also known as Sonbhadra Fossils Park, located in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, qualifies as a geo-heritage site under the IUCN’s 2020 guidelines on the “Evolution of Life” and aligns with UNESCO’s 2021 framework on Earth’s history and life’s origins.

Location:

Situated near the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kaimur Range, which forms part of the Vindhya mountain system.

Key Features:

• Hosts some of the world’s oldest and best-preserved fossils, estimated to be around 1.4 billion years old.
• Fossils primarily include Stromatolites, formed by Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), which are indicative of early microbial life.
• These structures provide evidence of the Great Oxidation Event, a period when oxygen began accumulating in Earth’s atmosphere.

Scientific Significance:

• Stromatolite variations reflect ancient aquatic and sedimentary conditions, offering vital clues about early Earth environments.
• Helps bridge the Precambrian gap in the fossil record, representing nearly 85% of Earth’s geological history.
• A globally significant natural archive for understanding early evolution and supporting scientific research and conservation efforts.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Background:

• Recognised under the World Heritage Convention for their “Outstanding Universal Value.”
• Aim to protect sites of cultural, historical, scientific, or natural importance.
• Classified into three categories: Cultural, Natural, and Mixed Heritage.