National Fossil Wood Park, Thiruvakkarai, Villupuram
The National Fossil Wood Park, Thiruvakkarai is
a geological park located in the Villupuram District in the Indian
state of Tamil
Nadu and is maintained by the Geological Survey of India.
The park was established in 1940 and is
located 1 km east of Thiruvakkarai village on the road between Tindivanam and Pondicherry.
Two blue-coloured boards with factual information in
English and Tamil are the only welcoming signs. A line of lush green trees,
interspersed by small bushes, lead into the park. The wood fossils are spread
over 247 acres in nine separate enclaves around Thiruvakkarai. The portion
fenced off and formally open to the public is relatively small.
The National Fossil Wood Park in Thiruvakkarai, located
about 35 km from Puducherry on the road to Tindivanam in Villupuram district,
maintained by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a repository of
spectacularly preserved fossilized trees that are at least 20 million years
old. They belong to what is called the ‘Mio – Pliocene' age and give a glimpse
of the composition of flora that existed in the pre-historic ages.
Ancient Burial Sites were also found in this park.
Wood Fossils
The park contains petrified
wood fossils approximately 20 million years old, scattered
throughout the park, which covers about 247 acres (100 ha). The park
consists of nine enclaves, but only a small portion of the 247 acres (approx 1
square km) is open to the public. Officials of the GSI believe the fossils were
formed during massive flooding that occurred millions of years ago.
The park hosts about 200 fossilized trees. They range in
size from 3 to 15 metres (9.8 to 49.2 ft) meters in length, some of which
are up to 5 meters in width. They are strewn and partially buried in the
park grounds. No branches or leaves remain on the fossilized
trunks.
Scientists speculate that the trees did not originally
grow at the site, but were transported before they had petrified. M.
Sonneret, a European naturalist, gave the first detailed account of the fossils
in 1781.
The silica that has preserved these tress are said to be
derived from volcanic ash ejected during explosions. But even today, the
annular rings and pit structures of the tress are brilliantly preserved and are
visible even to the naked eye.
All these provide vital evidences in determining the age
of such fossils. The degree of perfection in the petrification process in
Thiruvakkarai is a rarity. Very few fossil forests in the world can boast of
such high levels of preservation.
According to local legends, the trees are the bones of a
demon that was slain by Lord Vishnu. They also find mention during festivals at
the famous Kali temple in the village. The number of tourists visiting this
park has been low largely due to its location. The approach roads leading to
the park are in a deteriorated state and travelling in cars and buses could be
a difficult task.
In order to improve such infrastructure, the GSI has
proposed a Rs. 56 lakh project to construct a mini museum and approach steps to
the park. Once completed, it would help promote Thiruvakkarai as a major
tourist spot in the State.
Quality of the fossils
The fossils are well preserved due to extensive petrifaction. The trees' annular
rings and pit structures
are clearly visible, allowing their age to be determined by counting the rings.
Connectivity
It is located 1 km east of Thiruvakkarai village and
lies 155 km SSW of Chennai following N.H. 45 upto Kutteripattu via Tindivanam.
The Kutteripattu – Pondicherry road passes through the temple town of Mailam
which is a famous pilgrim centre. It can also be approached from Pondicherry.
