Aravali Rocks? NO – Aravali does not rock. Anymore.
Take a drive along the Aravali ranges and you will find the unheard despairing voice of the rocks, which are crying for help. They are being raped, mauled and their spirit is being broken. The fine treasure from the precambrian era, which has come to us, is in the danger of being frittered away, unless we step in and take care of our legacy. It doesn’t help that the range offers potential for quarrying and mining, considering the very acceptable quality of the rock sediment and their proximity to the “greedy” cities.
Aravalis have lasted more than 2500 million years and stretch from the Delhi, thru Rajasthan all the way till Palanpur in Ahmedabad. The range is about 500 kms long and has a maximum altitude of 5653 ft at Mt. Abu.These are humane mountains in the sense that they are not very high, meet the gaze of our eyes and are smooth in their demeanor. They are one of the oldest fold mountains; in comparison the Himalayas are almost child-like in their pedigree.
At Dhauj, (30Km) from Delhi, you will find the most serene and beautiful outcrop of rocks, smoothened by time. They provide for a very good setting for nature walks and camping. The reflected rays of the sunrise on the moist rocks, is an optical delight - A must see.
But look around and you feel angry. Upset with all the mining activity, being conducted in every pocket and this is not just at one location – there are all over – right across the whole of the mountain range from Gurgaon to Japiur and beyond.
Why should we care for Aravalis?
Why are the Aravalis important to us?
Apart from the emotional factor the most important reason is that Aravali acts as a bulwark against the spread of Thar into the Gangetic Plains and Gujarat. If the Aravlis are stubbed out then it makes it easy for the dust and sand to flow all along the river Ganges, endangering our food security in the long run. There is also ecological reason since the Aravalis supports a variety of flora and fauna. The Ranthambore National park has Aravalis in the backdrop. Even in Gurgaon, if you were to just take a walk off the Gurgaon - Faridabad road you can see peacocks and the stray Nilgai. There are also lesser glamorous residents like snakes, mongoose, parrots, pigeons and eagles.
While mining is necessary, it needs to regulated and controlled. Senseless denudation of rocks breaks the natural gradient of water channels and has destroyed entire ecosystems and has brought about arid conditions. When was the last time you saw water full at Damdama, Dhauj and Badkal? Maybe this is what the perpetuators of “Shave the Mountains” want. Let there be no water in the lakes, then these go off the tourist map, then you can do as you please and further cause irreversible and irreparable damaged to the already devastated rocks.
It is late, but we can’t anymore procrastinate to take a stand. Aravali wails for help.
What can we do to save these rocks?
To start raise your voice. Let it be known that Aravali belongs to all of us and cannot be mistreated. Increase awareness amongst those who can influence making the rocks safe. Go and take walks amongst the rocks at Dhauj, Damdama or anyplace. Talk to the locals. They are the ones most affected by this madness and are looking for support.
We have inherited these rocks and they need to be handed down in the same condition to the next generation. There is the example of the Deccan Society for Rocks, who are making efforts to preserve the rock formations around Hyderabad.
Aravali is calling. Anybody listening?
Waiting to hear at Aravali.rocks@gmail.com
About Aravali Rocks
Aravali Rock Preservation Society is a group of volunteer citizens who care for their environment and want to preserve and protect the 2500 million year old mountains close to their homes. It favors creation of a sustainable plan, which has zero impact on the environment and yet makes mining and quarrying possible.
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