Scenic Gujarat highway waits for SC ruling to travel down

Senior geologist and Additional Director of Geology and Mines Dr P.C. Jain says: ‘‘The beauty and aesthetic value of these rocks are unparalleled and these should be preserved as they are. Painting on these rocks is causing a lot of damage. Coats over coats of paint are used by the advertisers, defacing the rocks completely. All kinds of liquid erasers are used and this continous process is resulting in erosion of the rocks and thus their original beauty.’’

Director of Environmental Sciences Department, Gujarat University, Dr Y.K. Agarwal agrees with Jain. ‘‘Due to layers of paint on the rocks, these heat up very fast and some fragile rocks are breaking. Besides, many of these rocks have crevices through which very small natural streams flow, which we believe are now contaminated at various places due to the toxic compounds which flow during the rains,’’ Agarwal says.

Besides local companies like hotels and even tailors, reputed names like Binani Cement, Lakshmi Cement, Royal Champion Lubricants and Greases, Bioseed, Kitcol synthetics and adhesives, Margo and toothpaste companies Ipco and Choice advertise on these rocks. While some use rocks on either side of the highway, others have climbed even higher, to the beautiful upper reaches.

‘‘Without giving a thought to the treasure in their town, these people are plundering it by painting on them,’’ rues Ratikaka, an elderly shopkeeper in Idar’s main bazaar chowk.

‘‘A few years ago, it used to be pleasure to walk by these rocks early morning or evening. Now the sight is very jarring. I pity tourists who come here to see the rocks and are disappointed to see advertisements of underwears and toothpastes.’’

Sabarkantha District Collector Avinash Joshi says they can’t do much as the rocks are the private property of the erstwhile prince of Idar, Rajendrasinh Rathore, and not under the administration. ‘‘We have not paid much attention to this problem. Besides, it is private property,’’ Joshi admits.

Rajendrasinh, who now lives most of the time in Mumbai, told The Indian Express over phone that it was very difficult to stop people from defacing the rocks. ‘‘Yes, it is my property but what can I do if people do not understand that the rocks should not be disturbed? I cannot keep a tab on everyone. It is a huge property and the rocks are spread over several acres. Yes, the beauty of the rocks should be protected, but who is bothered? Can you guarantee that a private party or the government can stop this if I agree? People find it a free place to advertise. They are not going to stop.’’