Fossils of a giant dinosaur were found near Virkund village near Borda in Wani taluka by environment and geology researcher Prof Suresh Chopane. The fossils date back to the late Cretaceous period, that is 6 crore years ago.

Two years ago, he had found a fossilised leg bone of a dinosaur. This is the first record of dinosaur fossils found in Yavatmal district. Prof Chopane has been surveying in Yavatmal district for the past 20 years. Earlier, Prof Chopane had found fossils of 6 crore years old conch-shell and 150 crore years old stromatolite fossils in Pandharkawda, Ralegaon, Zari taluka. He had also discovered 25,000 years old stone age tools in Yavatmal district and all these evidences are displayed in his personal educational museum made at his home for common citizens and researchers.

In Borda-Virkund area of Wani taluka, there is limestone that was during Panganga group of Neoproterozoic period, which is around 150 crore years ago. At that time there was sea here.

 

During the Jurassic period, giant dinosaurs were present here. But 6 crore years ago, during the Cretaceous period, massive volcanic flows killed all living creatures and dinosaurs. The evidences are visible even today in the form of basalt, an igneous rock, but at many places, their bones have turned into fossils. There is a likelihood of a fossilised skeleton of dinosaur existing some 50 years ago near Virkund, but since the dinosaur bones and limestone look similar, the villagers used the bones to build houses and walls to guard their farms. Therefore, dinasour fossils were not found here again.

 

Chopane had found a fossilised bone in a stone guard built for agriculture land some 40 years ago. Chopane informed that the fossil belongs to a dinosaur based on its size, type, location where it was found and the opinion of the experts of Geology Department. A lot of fossil evidences have been destroyed in the country at many places due to this reason.