Suketi Fossil Park was the first park in Asia that to
be situated on the site where the actual fossils were unearthed.
Situated at a distance of 21 km from Nahan, this park is sited on the
bank of Markanda River. It lies on the upper and middle Shiwaliks and
has soft sandstone and clay rocks. Suketi Fossil Park is known for its
six life size fiberglass models of pre-historic animals, whose fossils
and skeletons were found at Suketi. These models depict Crocodilia;
giant land tortoise and chelonia (Colosschelys Atlas).
The other fossils unearthed in this amazing park of India include grand
elephant (Stegodonganesa Sivatherium) - now extinct; hippopotamus with
six incisors (Hexaprotodon Sivalensis) and saber-toothed tiger
(Paramachaerdus) that were once quite abundant in this region. Shiwaliks
are said to have one of the world's largest number of mammalian fossils
that can help paleontologists understand evolution and prehistoric era.
The fossils found at Suketi Fossil Park of Himachal Pradesh were as old
as 8.5 million years! Besides knowing more about the terrestrial fauna
that has long been extinct, you can also enjoy the scenic beauty of the
place. The Horticulture Department of the place has done good work and
the grounds are well maintained. The museum here gives you a chance to
study the models, fossils, charts and paintings of present and past
flora and fauna of the Shiwaliks closely.
