In a significant scientific discovery for Gujarat, gigantic plant fossils belonging to the Jurassic age have been found at Khadir island near Dholavira in Kutch. Geologists of MS University in Vadodara recently conducted studies on samples claimed to be found near the Harappan civilisation site, to discover what they call "an important and rare historical treasure of Gujarat, needing protection."

The plant fossils are at least eight metres long and about half to one metre in diametre. "Called petrified wood, the plant fossils of this size have only been found in Jaisalmer in western India. The samples found are similar to the plant fossils associated with the Lathi Formation (Jurassic) of Jaisalmer area. where the Geological Survey of India has established a plant fossils park in Akal," said KC Tiwari, principal investigator at department of geology in MSU, who conducted the study.

The Jurassic age pertains to the Aalenian-Bathonian period that dates back to 187 to 176 million years.

Courtesy - Times of India - New Delhi,India