National geological monument and Stromatolite Park, Mamley, Sikkim-Geotourism
The stromatolite fossil park at Mamley in South Sikkim is a famous site for future geotourism in the Sikkim State. The Namchi Stromatolite park in NE India has Beautiful stromatolitic (algal) structures, boulder outcrops with circular structures at Mamley are preserved as nature’s amazing and exceptional creation.
It provides one of the rare examples of early life on earth and the Sikkim Himalayas region. This dolomitic limestone belongs to the Buxa Formation, Daling Group of Neo-proterozoic age. lt is characterized by the presence of fine-grained, grey, and purple calcareous slates with chert bands that laterally grade into well jointed purple and grey limestone beds/ dolostone.
Dolomite outcrops are as cliff and scatter boulders with ‘elephant skin’ weathering. In the Mamley area, more than one generation of Stromatolite (conophytes) is distinctly evident. More such dolostones are observed near Tatapani, 20km further upstream of the Rangit river.
This Mamley stromatolite fossil park represents the colony of Conophytons. These organisms are very important to study the early life on Earth, the past geological processes, evolution of life on the earth, and the palaeo-geography and palaeo-environment of the sequence.
The Meso – Neoproterozoic stromatolites are very well preserved in the Buxa Dolomite Formation in the Rangeet river valley near Tatapani, along the road from Tatapani to Reshi and Namchi town to Mamley village.
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Studies reveal the bacteria found in Stromatolite are biogenic and can also be useful in the search for extraterrestrial life on Mars and other planets. Recent astrobiological studies have shown that stromatolites or microbial-induced sedimentary structures and bacterial microorganisms may be found on the Martian surface. Therefore, the stromatolite fossil park developed at Mamley to preserve this rare evidence of early life, its evolution, and diversification in India.
The Mamley Stromatolite fossil park in Namchi has been declared a national geological monument by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), for their protection, maintenance, promotion, and enhancement of geotourism. Sikkim Govt. has developed infrastructural activities to protect it as Geoheritage site of about 16 acres area.
Mamley is easily accessible by road and is about 6 km NNE of Namchi, a well-known tourist destination in South Sikkim. Namchi is situated at a distance of 78 kilometers from the state capital Gangtok and 100 kilometers from the town of Siliguri, the nearest railhead and airport.
