Uttar Pradesh’s Salkhan Fossil Park Joins UNESCO Tentative List

Salkhan Fossil Park in Uttar Pradesh has been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage status a major recognition of its global geological significance.

Located in Sonbhadra district, the park spans over 25 hectares and houses fossils estimated to be nearly 1.6 billion years old, making it one of the world’s oldest natural records of early life. The site is renowned for stromatolites layered bio-chemical structures formed by microbial activity, offering rare insight into Earth’s ancient biosphere.

The fossils are embedded in sedimentary rock formations of the Vindhyan range and have drawn attention from geologists worldwide. Salkhan’s inclusion on the UNESCO list marks a step towards international conservation, research funding, and increased tourism.

Experts say the move not only boosts India’s geo-heritage credentials but also highlights the need for preserving such unique natural archives for future scientific study and education.
*This news has been published on Times of India on 26th June 2025