From Our Correspondent
BAGHMARA, May 4: Following the discovery of a fossil in a cave in the village of Tolegre under South Garo Hills (SGH), Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi has temporarily closed the cave where the fossil is present.
The DC, through an order Friday, informed all concerned that since research is still ongoing, the entrance to the cave will remain closed to the public temporarily until testing is completed.
The order further stated that in case if entry was required by any official or individual, permission could be obtained first from the DC.
A group of explorers belonging to a non-profit organisation, Core Geo Expeditions, made a discovery of what is suspected to be a fossil, aged between 35-40 million years, during their exploration of caves around the Tolegre area.
The fossil is suspected to belong to either the genus Rhodocetus or Ambulocetus (extinct now). This prehistoric animal is believed to be the land ancestor of the whale.
Following the discovery, the Core Geo Expeditions has sought the verification of the fossil through the district administration by the Geological Survey of India, whose team is expected to authenticate the findings of the group any day.