Guwahati: The district administration in South Garo Hills, Meghalaya has ordered to close access temporarily to a cave near Tolegre village following the discovery of a potentially significant fossil.
Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi through an order restricted public entry to the cave until ongoing research is complete.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
This closure is aimed at ensuring the protection of the fossil while experts analyze it.
Also Read: Assam: Newborn found dead near pond in Mankachar
The fossil, believed to be 35-40 million years old, was unearthed earlier this year by the Core Geo Expeditions, a non-profit organization.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
They suspect it may belong to either the extinct genera Rhodocetus or Ambulocetus, potentially representing a land ancestor of whales.
Also Read: Assam: Huge consignment of ganja seized from Tripura Sundari Express in Guwahati
To verify the discovery, the CGE requested the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to examine the fossil.
A GSI team is expected to arrive soon to authenticate the findings.