Old Elephant Fossils in Forests Near Dehradun

A camera trap study in the reserve forests Uttar Pradesh Discovery of a 5 million years old Elephant Jaw near Dehradun has shed new light on elephant history and evolution. The study lasted four years, from 2013 to 2017. And it was a unique partnership between the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Dehradun-based Forest Survey of India (FSI), and local villagers that yielded surprising results.

An international team of experts has discovered fossils of ancient elephants in the Northern Himalayas, which are older than 5 million years. The rare discovery suggests that the foothills of the Holy Himalayas along the green Terai region in Uttarakhand and UP were once inhabited by giant elephants, giraffes, horses, and hippopotamus.  

5 million-year-old fossil of Stegodon Elephant discovered

Forest officials and wildlife experts have unearthed a 5 million-year-old fossil of Stegodon Elephant discovered in the Badshahi Bagh area in Saharanpur, about 350 km from Delhi. The discovery was made near the banks of the Ghaggar river. Fossils of elephants are commonly found in the hill districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Tripura. However, a 5 million-year-old fossil of stegodon elephant discovered has seldom been reported from these states. The fossil is about 5 to 8 million years old.

The fossil is considered to be five million years old and of the Stegodon elephant, a prehistoric elephant on the brink of extinction found in this region. Though modern-day elephants have only one tusk, the prehistoric elephants had two. Palaeontologists are calling this significant find the first evidence of the existence of these animals in the Himalayan region.

An upper molar of the extinct elephant variety Stegodon discovered in Rajasthan’s Kutch district is likely to be over five million years old. A team of  scientists at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology researched the Uttar Pradesh Discovery of 5 million years old Elephant Jaw. 

For the research of  Uttar Pradesh Discovery of 5 million years old Elephant Jaw A team of scientists, led by Dr. Ashok Jain of the Wadia Institute, Dehradun, India, describes an exceptionally well-preserved fossilized tooth of an elephant from the Middle Siwaliks in the state of Uttarakhand (east of India). It is the first report of a fossil elephant from this stratigraphic horizon in India. The bone fossils of an elephant believed to be more than five million years old have been discovered during excavations at Dog hat in Patiala. While the fossil of tusks found from the site last year had hinted at the prominent existence of this species, which was considered extinct since 3 lakh years ago, it was the first time that the fossil of a complete body and skull was found in India.

Which is the Capital City of Uttarakhand?

Dehradun is the answer of which is the capital city of Uttarakhand. Dehradun is a city in the foothills of the Himalayas, located on the banks of the River Ganges in northern India’s Uttarakhand state. Founded by the Gurkhas in 1699, when they were hired as mercenaries to fight against the Mughal Empire, Dehradun has had a turbulent history. However, it remains one of India’s most important educational and religious centers today. The city has been the center of education and culture ever since it was founded in 1941 by the British. The city is an education hub, and many students visit it every year to study at its colleges and universities.

 As the capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is a beautiful hill town surrounded by fresh air and beautiful vegetation. This city is known for its tea gardens, waterfalls, and research institutes. Several places of historical importance are also located here, including the Indian Military Academy and Lala Lajpat Rai’s Memorial Library.

Dehradun is situated on a piece of open country, surrounded by low hills, at about 2,300 feet. The climate is pleasant from November to February and April to June; from July to September, it is extremely hot and humid, with heavy rainfall.

The city has various interesting places, including botanical gardens, the Tapkeshwar temple, Robbers Cave (with natural pools for bathing), and Sahastradhara Waterfalls.

 Filled with adventure and fun, Dehradun is an ideal place for a vacation. There’s plenty to do, whether it’s hiking, paragliding, or just plain taking in the fresh mountain air. You will also find that there are several places of interest to visit. The Indian Military Academy is located here and in the capital city of Uttarakhand.

Conclusion

Forest officials and WWF, led by Dr. Virendra Jain, stumbled upon an elephant fossil near Dehradun while digging along the course of a river. The team reported that this was the first reported Uttar Pradesh Discovery of a 5 million years old Elephant Jaw in the region, dating back to 5 to 8 million years. Dr. RK Sehgal and Dr. A.C. Nanda both noted that the sample suggests the presence of Stegodon in the region. The discovery also suggests that thick forests once covered the foothills of the Himalayas, and there were lots of river channels surrounding those forests. The discovery of fossilized teeth in the foothills of the Himalayas may indicate that elephants roamed here millions of years ago.