National Fossil Wood Park, Sathanur

Tree Fossil-Sathanur
தேசிய கல்மரப் பூங்கா
சாத்தனூர்
National Park
Nickname(s): Sathanur Kalmaram
Tree Fossil-Sathanur
Coordinates: 11°09′40.1″N 78°58′35.1″E / 11.161139°N 78.976417°ECoordinates: 11°09′40.1″N 78°58′35.1″E / 11.161139°N 78.976417°E
Country India India
State Tamil Nadu
Region Chola Nadu
District Perambalur
Taluk Kunnam
Village Sathanur
Founded by M.S.Krishnan
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 621106

National Fossil Wood Park,[1] , Sathanur is located in Perambalur District, in Tamil Nadu. This park is located within Sathanur panchayat and has a fossilized tree trunk, which was discovered in 1940 by renowned geologist Dr. M. S. Krishnan of the Geological Survey of India, who hailed from Tanjore. The petrified tree trunk is believed to be over 120 million years old, and is considered to be evidence for the presence of a sea during the Cretaceous period in this area.

The fossil formation

The park
The large fossil trunk

The sea which lies about 100 km east of Sathanur today, was believed to be present here and stretched up to 10 km west of Sathanur during cretaceous period. Due to sea level and other changes, the sea receded and abounded a variety of marine animals and plants. They sank to the bottom and buried by sand and clay which was brought down by the flooded rivers and streams. Large trees that flourished near the shore were also buried after being flushed in by the streams. Over a period of time, the Tree fossil formed over these animal and plant remains.

This fossil is of a conifer, measures around 18 meters long and a geological treasure.[1] Similar fossilized tree trunks have been found in nearby Varagur, Anaipadi, Alundalippur, and Saradamangalam,[2] all located within a 10 km radius of Sathanur.

Visiting the park

This national park is open to public throughout the year. However, September to February is the best period to visit to enjoy the cool weather and to view the thriving tropical agriculture greenery.

Early visitors

This national park is frequently visited by geologists and nature lovers throughout the year. Early visitors (1960s to 1980s) caused some damage by collecting samples for their research or in their college or university labs. Now it is well fenced and guarded.

This park is located approximately one kilometer north of Sathanur village. There used to be a sandy, muddy road and reaching the park used to be a very taunting task. This was well explained by The Hindu correspondent Soma Basu in 2005 (Sathanur: a tree that is as old as forever).[3]

A new road

Newly constructed road

A new beginning kicked in 2008.[4] District collector, GSI officials and other administrative officials took on the mammoth task of renovation, fencing and construction of a new tar road to the park from the main road, which was completed on time. Now, visitors can drive right up to the gate.

Other ways to reach the park

The nearest airport is at Trichy, while the nearest railway station is at Ariyalur. Buses also run regularly from the new Perambalur bus-stand to the Sathanur bus stop. Visitors can then walk or take bicycle to reach the park.

Footnotes

1. Sathanur owes it to ‘kal maram' article by The Hindu - 16 August 2010 [5]

2. Tamil article by Neethi Sengottaiyan - Navigate to the bottom [6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "National Fossil Wood Park". Geological Survey of India. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "Sathanur fossil tree". The Collector,Perambalur District (Govt.owned website). Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Basu, Soma (22 January 2005). "Embalmed by Nature". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  4. ↑ "Plan to put fossil tree on tourist map by The Hindu". 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "Sathanur owes it to ‘kal maram' Article by The Hindu". 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  6. ↑ "Tamil Article by Neethi Sengaottiyan". 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2014.