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Kutch marks the beginning of Palaeogene. During Early Eocene, marine transgression
deposited finer clastics and carbonates followed by Bartonian carbonate platforms that
correspond to the globally recognised warming period at Middle Eocene (MECO). Eocene
of Kutch includes the Naredi Formation with alternations of shale, calcareous mudstone and
limestone and sandstone; Harudi with grey shale, lignite, interbedded coquina (Ravikant and
Bajpai 2010) and glauconitic green shale and Fulra with foraminiferal limestones (Saraswati
et al 2018).

The Palaeogene sections of Kutch are the reference for the Indian regional chronostratigraphic
units. The ages of Palaeogene shallow marine carbonates are mainly based on larger benthic
foraminifera (LBF). These LBF are K-strategists, but they may even be R strategists, which
rapidly increase in numbers when conditions are favourable. Hence LBF of Kutch are
important.

Eocene of Kutch is also the storehouse of early marine mammals like the whales that are
thought to be originated in India.

Geology of Eocene deposits of Kutch as well as the whales and LBFs are well studied.
However, taphonomy of the larger benthic foraminifera and remingtonocetids will be
studied in this backdrop for the first time.
8. Description of the problem(Max. 300 words):

As stated earlier, an array of geological and paleontological research has enriched the Eocene
deposits of Kutch. Several fluctuations in the overall temperature and episodes of
transgression had been noticed during the Eocene Epoch of Kutch. Osteology and taxonomy
of the vertebrates, specially whales have been extensively studied. Taxonomy, biostratigraphy
and geochemistry of foraminifera and invertebrates have also been carried out. Since it is not
possible to discuss all the previous literatures within the prescribed word limits, an exhaustive
list of references has been provided below. However, in what condition and how the whale
specimens were disintegrated and deposited from their dead carcass is not known. Similarly,
the extent of breakage and orientations of larger foraminifera in different litho-units is not
known so far. The effects of diagenesis on the tests are also not specified for different large
taxa of foraminifera. The productivity of different species of larger benthic foraminifera at
different litho units is not adequately studied. The taphonomy of coquina beds and sporadic
gastropods occurring adjacent to the whale fossil fragments are yet to be studied. The present
project aims to generate the basic taphonomic data for the whales and some larger benthic
foraminifera of the Eocene of Kutch. The taphonomic data generated in the project will be
analysed and matched with the vast amount of existing geologic and paleontologic literature.
This will hopefully enrich our knowledge on how the fossils were deposited and preserved
during the Eocene Epoch in Kutch. The project span is three years. Hence, for the tme being,
foraminiferal data will be taken from few relevant areas and / or sections.
9. Objectives:
Objective of the project is to study the taphonomy of the new remingtonocetid (its taxonomy
as well) from Harudi Formation and taphonomy of the larger benthic foraminifera from
Harudi itself, Naredi below and Fulra above with reference to its host rock geology and
geochemistry, (both from literature and fresh analysis) to add new data to understand the
Eocene Geology and Paleontology of Kutch.

10. Study Area:

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