Salkhan Fossils Park Joins UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List
Salkhan-fossils-park-joins-unesco-tentative-world-heritage-list! (Image UP Info Dept)
Salkhan Fossils Park UNESCO Recognition to Boost UP’s Eco-Tourism Vision
By AMIT KUMAR
LUCKNOW, June 22, 2025 — In a major stride for India’s natural heritage and eco-tourism ambitions, Salkhan Fossils Park in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, has been officially included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, marking a significant global recognition for one of the world’s oldest fossil sites.
The announcement, hailed as a milestone by the Yogi Adityanath government, is the result of sustained efforts by the Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board, which had been actively pursuing the heritage status over the past year. The park is now prominently featured on the UNESCO website, setting the stage for its nomination to the permanent list expected as early as July next year.
Home to stromatolites—1.4 billion-year-old microbial fossils preserved in ancient sandstone—Salkhan Fossils Park offers some of the oldest evidence of life on Earth. This unparalleled geological treasure places Uttar Pradesh on the global eco-tourism map and underscores the state’s growing role in preserving natural and scientific heritage.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been championing eco-tourism as a central pillar of the state’s tourism strategy, called the development a “moment of pride” for the entire country. “This recognition validates the ancient, scientific, and natural significance of Sonbhadra’s fossil wealth and opens up new frontiers for tourism and research,” he said in a statement.
The nomination process gained momentum following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2024 between the Eco-Tourism Development Board and Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow. Subsequent scientific studies confirmed the presence of exceptionally preserved stromatolites and ancient algae fossils, providing the core justification for the UNESCO application.
According to Principal Secretary for Tourism Mukesh Meshram, the inclusion in the tentative list is only the beginning. “We are now finalizing a comprehensive dossier to be submitted to the Government of India. This will undergo further evaluation by UNESCO before the park is granted permanent World Heritage status,” he explained.
Tourism Director Prakhar Mishra noted that the park is scientifically unique even among renowned global fossil sites. “While Yellowstone’s fossils are about 500 million years old, and Canada’s Mistaken Point and Joggins Cliffs date back 550 and 310 million years respectively, the stromatolites at Salkhan are a staggering 1.4 billion years old,” he said. This, he added, makes the site one of the oldest biological records on the planet.
Located near Salkhan village, roughly 15 kilometers from Robertsganj in the ecologically rich Sonbhadra district, the fossil park spans 25 hectares and lies between the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Vindhya mountain range, offering scenic landscapes ideal for eco-tourism.
As interest surges globally in natural history and paleoscience, this recognition is expected to significantly boost foreign and domestic tourism, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a key destination for heritage, education, and eco-based travel.
The government has also introduced Vistadome coaches to enhance tourist connectivity between key ecological sites like Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, in line with CM Yogi’s larger eco-tourism push.
Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
About The Author
