National Fossil Wood Park, Sathanur, Perambalur
National
Fossil Wood Park is located in Sathanur Village in Perambalur
District of Tamilnadu. 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.
Sathanur,
a remote village in Perambalur district, now finds a place in tourism map,
thanks to ‘Kal Maram.' Fossil trees were found along the stream sections near
Varagur, Anaipadi, Alundalipur and Saradamangalam. As part of the tourism
development works, a fossil museum will be set up adjacent to the tree. The
trees belong to conifers (non-flowering) that dominated the land vegetation
during the period.
The
Fossils
This
fossil is of a conifer, measures around 18 meters long and a geological
treasure. Similar fossilized tree trunks have been found in nearby
Varagur, Anaipadi, Alundalipur, and Saradamangalam, all located within a
10 km radius of Sathanur. Geological study shows that more than
120,000,000 years ago, the sea (which lies today about 100 Km. East of
Sathanur) had transgressed as far as 8 to 10 Km West of Sathanur. During this
period which is geologically known as the cretaceous, the sea abounded in a
variety of marine animals similar to those found in the present day sea. These
animals, after death, sank to the bottom and were buried by sands and clays
brought down by the rivers.
Along
with them some of the trees which flourished on the seacoast or near shore were
also buried after transport by flooded streams and were petrified in course of
time. The large trunk of petrified tree, which can be seen here, lies within
the Trichinopoly group of rocks of about 100,000,000 years ago. This tree shows
the presence of Conifers (The non-flowering plants) that dominated the land
vegetation prior to the advent of Angiosperms (the flowering plants of the
present of day).
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 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.
Facilities
A
tourist restroom had been constructed near the site at a cost of Rs.12.82 lakh
and it is functional. The approach roads to the site and around it have been
blacktopped. An overhead water tank and a bus shelter have been built. The
district administration is scouting for a suitable site to set up a children's
park.
Connectivity
This
Park is situated at about 700 m north of the Sathanur village which can be
approached by NH-45 connecting Chennai with Tiruchchirappalli up to Siruvachur
village. From Siruvachur an unmetalled road connects Sathanur village which is
about 14 km eastward. 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. Sathanur is located at about 14
Kms from Siruvachur, 22 Kms from Perambalur, 15 Kms from Ariyalur and 66 Kms
from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ariyalur and Nearest Airport
is located at Trichy.
