Wood Fossil Park Jaisalmer

The Wood Fossil Park located near Jaisalmer, also known as the Akal Fossil Park, is an area of prime geological importance, as much as it is a major spot of tourist attraction.

It is an interesting area of remains of ancient flora, in the form of fossils of trees belonging to a forest that existed almost 180 million years ago. The sheer fact stands out to be unbelievable and majestic. The tree trunks, and hence the wood is what remains of that ancient region of forests that used to cover this land, and probably got submerged under water of the sea. This region is one of the many awe inspiring corners of the grand mysteries that the great Thar Desert (Great Indian Desert) has to offer and reveal.

The area offers a breathtaking view of natural phenomenon and one is dumbfounded to take a look at the forces and artwork inherent in nature. The powers and creativity of nature leaves an indelible mark upon this terrain. The fossil park opens up an area of scattered (about 180 million years old) tree trunks, of various shapes and sizes. The park has about twelve such logs of wood lying scattered all over. A minute study of the fossils by geological experts reveals that the ‘petrified wood’ shows signs of being part of densely growing forests in the old times. The forests show signs of having grown in a very hot and wet climate, which hint at an abundant growth of trees.

The region is almost twenty-one hectares of preserved area; located about 17-18 km away from Jaisalmer on NH-15. It is variedly of interest to observers of nature, geologists and tourists, and attracts all equally. The study of nature here requires special permission. Tourists flock in all round the year.

The area can be reached from Jaisalmer, by road, in auto rickshaws or cabs.