Ghughwa Fossil Park have collection of about 6.5 million years old plant fossils. About 105 kms from Jabalpur city, this fossil park is managed by forest department of Madhya Pradesh. These fossils were discovered by Dr. Dharmendra Prasad, the statistical officer of Mandla District and also the honorary secretary of the District Archaeology Union. Dr. S. R. Ingle from Science College, Jabalpur and Dr. M. B. Bande from Birbal Sahni Institute Palaeobotany, Lucknow then conducted systematic study of these fossils.
About 65 million (6.5 crore) years ago, this area was covered by forests similar to the evergreen and semi evergreen forests of today's Western ghats and Northeast India. The forests were made up of moisture-loving plants. There was a three-tier forest structure consisting of small trees or shurbs growing below moderate to large-sized trees. The middle level had mostly trees of the palm group. Ghughua enjoyed a humid equatorial climate in ancient times with uniform temperatures throughout the year and an annual rainfall above 2,000 mm, as compared to about 1,400 mm now. In those times, it ialso had a very long rainy season.
It lies on Kanha - Bandhavgarh national park route. Place have facility of refreshment, canteen, rooms for accommodation etc. Forest department has fixed nominal fee to visit this only fossil park in the region. Being just 105 km from Jabalpur city, one can do excursion tour to this fossil park or even those who are travelling from Jabalpur to Bandhavgarh, can do enroute to Ghughua fossil park. Ghughua is about 75 kms from Mandla City and 15 kms from Shahpura town.
