MoST Study Finds 250‑Myr‑Old Wildfires in Gondwana Coal – Climate Implications

Overview Researchers from the MoST and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) have uncovered molecular evidence of massive wildfires that swept across ancient Gondwana forests about 250 million years ago. The study, published in the *Geological Journal*, uses an integrated palynological‑molecular approach to reconstruct fire regimes during the Permian period. Key Developments First large‑scale palaeofire signatures identified in Indian Permian sediments. Distinction made between high‑intensity ( h‑PAL‑CH ) and low‑intensity ( l‑PAL‑CH ) microcharcoal particles using morphology and optical traits. Application of palynofacies analysis together with Raman spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy for high‑resolution fire reconstruction. Detection of well‑developed second‑order Raman peaks and diagnostic FTIR functional groups confirming combustion‑derived poly‑aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Important Facts The research team— Neha Aggarwal , Shivalee Srivastava and Runcie Paul Mathews —examined coal‑bearing sediments of the Godavari Valley Coalfield. By integrating microscopic observations with molecular signatures, they overcame the earlier reliance on visual identification alone, which often led to ambiguous interpretations of charcoal origin. Microcharcoal types such as OX‑CH (oxidized opaque phytoclasts) and PAL‑CH (fire‑induced opaque phytoclasts) were differentiated, enabling a finer temporal resolution of fire intensity and frequency. UPSC Relevance Understanding ancient fire regimes links directly to topics in GS 3 – Environment and Ecology , especially climate‑change modelling and the role of natural disturbances in shaping Earth’s carbon cycle. The study also illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary research—combining geology, chemistry, and palaeobotany—relevant for questions on scientific institutions ( GS 3 ) and technology adoption in India. Knowledge of the PAH signatures helps scholars assess past atmospheric composition, a key component of the GS 1 – Physical Geography syllabus. Way Forward The authors recommend expanding the multi‑proxy methodology to other Gondwana basins to build a continental‑scale fire database. Such data can improve long‑term climate models, aiding policymakers in anticipating future ecosystem responses to extreme events like wildfires, which are becoming more frequent under changing climate conditions. Further investment in advanced spectroscopic facilities by the MoST will strengthen India’s capacity to conduct high‑resolution palaeoenvironmental studies, aligning with the nation’s climate‑action commitments.