Suketi Fossil Park

Suketi Fossil Park, also known as Shivalik Fossil Park, is a protected paleontological site and National Geological Monument located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Established in 1974 by the Geological Survey of India, it features life-sized models of extinct mammals and a museum displaying prehistoric vertebrate fossils recovered from the Siwalik ranges. The park offers visitors a glimpse into the Plio-Pleistocene era through its exhibits and recreated landscapes along the Markanda River valley.

Visitors can explore a well-maintained park featuring six life-sized fiberglass models of extinct animals such as Stegodon, Sivatherium, and giant tortoises set in a recreated prehistoric landscape. The on-site museum houses actual fossilized skeletons, skulls, and teeth of prehistoric biota, along with stone tools from the Early Paleolithic period. The park is situated in a forested area along the Markanda River, providing a serene environment for sightseeing and educational tours about Earth's geological history.

The site was discovered by the Geological Survey of India in 1969 and established as a park in 1974. It was notified as a National Geological Monument in the same year. The park preserves fossils from the Upper Siwalik rocks, providing significant insights into the prehistoric biological record of the region.

The park serves as an important educational and research site for paleontologists and students, showcasing the geological heritage of the Siwalik ranges. It highlights the evolutionary history of mammals in the Indian subcontinent.