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Bombay geologists unearth dinosaur fossil in Kutch

A four-member team of Bombay-based geologists have unearthed remains of a Jurassic Age dinosaur's fossil at Kaur Bet in Kutch, which is said to be one of the oldest prehistoric remains found in India and in this part of the globe.

''This proves that these mighty reptiles roamed the country millions of year ago,'' said Dr K K Das, superintendent geologist with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd, who is a member of the team. The other members are Dr K Satyanarayana, deputy general manager (geology dept) of the ONGC and two other senior geologists of the company, Dr D K Dasgupta and Dr Alok Dave.

The discovery was made by the ONGC's regional geology laboratory team recently when they were on a geological mission at Kaur Bet in the Kutch region of Gujarat, across the western sector. ''The fossil treasure that the ONGC team has unearthed will help researchers, geologists and archaeologists a lot'', Dr Das said in Bombay. ''This is the oldest known remains of a dinosaur in India, and is expected to belong to the middle Jurassic period, ie, around 178 million years old," he said.

Talking about what the team has unearthed, Dr Das said, ''We have unearthed fossil bones of probable spinal column and legs.'' Huge, petrified tree remains were also found. Currently the fossils have been kept under the control of the Indian Army and the Border Security Force, he added.

It was found on the surface along with associated limestone rocks. ''It belongs to the middle Jurassic age from Kaladongar formation, geologically dated on the basis of micro-organisms present,'' he said. It is expected to be around 178 million years old.

Earlier reported findings were from the Inter-Trappean beds of Anjar hills, some 80 km from Kaur Bet, which were said to be around 65 million years old.

The findings of the team of scientists have been published in the latest edition of Current Science, a leading science journal published from Bangalore. He said more research can be carried out in this area in association with other agencies.

On being asked about the feelings after the team discovered the fossil, Dr Das said, ''We were really happy.''

UNI

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