The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has advised the district administration to protect the Karai - Kolakkanatham fossil deposits in the district, which is the largest area of fossils with complete shape of the marine wealth intact.
The significance of the fossil deposits in the villages can be gauged from the fact that the State Tourism Department, based on the recommendations of the GSI, has declared the entire area as ‘Geological Heritage Site’ about three months ago. A GSI official told The Hindu over telephone that the entire Karai - Kolakanatham belt accounted for fossils which were some 20 to 30 million years old. “Fortunately, it is only in the Perambalur district that the fossils are in ‘type section’ which means that the shape of animals and other marine species have been preserved in full shape,” the source said.
The GSI has requested the district administration, through the State government, to set up iron fencing all around the sprawling area of 107.22 acres of the government poramboke land. A couple of assigned patta land also form part of the fossil area. “No chance should be given for trespassing and digging out fossils in the area,” the official said.
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