A treasure of Stromatolite fossil has been found in the Pidi peak near Pratap Nagar in Tehri district. This stromatolite is believed to be about 500 million years old. The fossil specimens have been sent to Kumaon University for further investigation. Geologist, professor Bahadur Singh Kotliya of Kumaon University, who has been researching on it said that there is evidence of more such ancient and rare organisms and that the scientists would benefit immensely from the study that will be conducted in the near future.
Professor Kotlia said that some reptiles or other creatures existed on the earth billions of years ago and eons after their death their fossils are safe. It happened that over time, these fossils were lost in the soil layer. These fossils turned into rock, giving rise to natural changes over long intervals. The forest department team from Tehri had visited the mountain peak which is about 8,367 feet high and found this rare fossil last month. The divisional forest officer immediately contacted the geologist Kotliya at Kumaon University and requested for a detailed study. After studying the specimens, professor Kotliya estimated that the fossil specimen could be around 500 million years old.
A detailed study is being conducted to find out more about the specimen. He said that several organisms were present 500 million years ago that have been fossilised here. The forest department officials said that they came across the stromatolite fossil during a visit to the Pidi peak last month. They contacted the geologist from the Kumaon University who estimated that these fossil remains are around 500 million years old.
Saturday, 31 October 2020 | Vinod Chamoli | New Tehri
