Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:07pm on 17 Jul 2026,Friday India
Scientists have discovered 24-million-year-old fossilised leaves of the kewra (kevda) plant in Assam's Makum Coalfield, revealing that the species existed long before the Himalayas reached their present form and far before human civilisation. Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences found four exceptionally preserved leaves matching modern kewra plants. Published in the journal Geobios, the study suggests India served as a vital refuge for ancient tropical plant species during major climate changes. The discovery bridges a crucial gap in the plant's evolutionary history and offers valuable insights into biodiversity, climate evolution, and India's prehistoric ecosystems. (PC: Instagram)
