The Ghughua Fossil National Park, Dindori, Madhya Pradesh India

The Ghughua Fossil National Park of Madhya Pradesh is a unique destination in India, which has been blessed with a priceless treasure trove of plant fossils. Fossils belonging to 31 genera of 18 plant families have been identified.These fossils represent life as it occurred in this area some 65 million years ago. Well-preserved fossils of woody plants, climbers, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds have been found here. Palm fossils are particularly numerous.

These fossils were discovered by Dr. Dharmendra Prasad, the then statistical officer of Mandla district and honorary secretary of the district archeology union. Dr.S.R.Ingle from Science Colleage, Jabalpur and Dr. M.B.Bande from Birbal Sahani Institute of Paleobotany, Lucknow then conducted systematic study of these fossils.

Considering the great scientific importance of the fossils found in this area,the government of Madhya Pradesh notified this area as the Ghughua Fossil National Park in 1983. The national park is spread over 27.34 ha in Ghughua and Umaria villages.