Salkhan Fossil Park, located in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, has recently been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites. 

About Salkhan Fossil Park

• Location and Area: Situated in Salkhan village, 15 km from Robertsganj, Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, the park spans around 25 hectares in the Kaimur range (Vindhyan mountain range).
• Fossils of Stromatolites: The park is known for its ancient stromatolites, formed by cyanobacteria, dating back to 1.4 billion years. 
  • These stromatolites are crucial for understanding early microbial life and the Great Oxidation Event.

• Geological Importance: The fossils are embedded in the Bhander limestone of the Vindhyan Supergroup, one of the most extensive and well-preserved collections of Proterozoic rocks globally. 
  • The park offers various stromatolite morphologies such as columnar, stratiform, and domal forms.
• Ecological Significance: The park is part of the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary, which provides a rich diversity of flora and fauna in stromatolites, which are layered sedimentary structures formed by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that photosynthesize., and riverine ecosystems.
• Scientific and Educational Value: Salkhan Fossil Park is a critical resource for scientific research, educational tourism, and understanding Earth’s early biosphere. 
  • The park’s fossils represent some of the earliest forms of life, offering invaluable insights into early microbial life and the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere.
• IUCN Geo-heritage Interest: The park fits into the ‘Evolution of life’ theme as it bridges the gaps in the World Heritage fossil record, representing a critical phase of early Earth history that remains underrepresented globally. 

About Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (UNESCO)

• It is an inventory of natural and/or cultural heritage sites that a State Party considers to demonstrate potential Outstanding Universal Value to humanity and therefore suitable for nomination to the World Heritage List.
• Advance Nominations: States Parties must provide Tentative Lists to the World Heritage Centre before submitting any nomination, which should be submitted at least one year in advance.
• India has 63 sites on the UNESCO Tentative List (till June 2025).

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