Simply rocking

The Great Hyderabad Adventure Club - GHAC and the Society to Save Rocks conducted the fourth edition of the Hyderabad Rockathon on Sunday, at the stunning rocks around the 400-year-old Ghar-e-Mubarak Dargah at Bairagiguda near Taramati Baradari. The Rockathon was supported by Telangana Tourism and attracted over 500 Rock enthusiasts and Adventure sport lovers.

The event highlighted the need for preservation of the over 2500 million-year-old Deccan Rockscapes and to promote adventure sports, outdoor recreation and environmental protection. The event was inaugurated by Azmeera Chandulal Naik, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Govt of Telangana, who flagged off the treasure hunt.

“The activity is fast becoming a tradition and it's that time of the year, when we celebrate adventure while spreading the important message of rock conservation,” informed a spokesperson from Society to Save Rocks. “It was due to our efforts and support from the government that the Ghar-e-Mubarak has been declared a heritage precinct,” he added.

Diyanat Ali, Founder, Great Hyderabad Adventure Club said, “I have lived my life among rocks as a child in Banjara Hills and rocks have been a very much part of my life and it pains to see these beautiful formations that date back to 2500 million years old broken down for construction”.

The minister also stressed on the need to preserve the rocks in and around the twin cities and the state and pledged his support for the cause. The Rockathon attracted participants from all walks of life. Children to adults all were there taking part in various related activities which included rockwalk, rappelling, zip lining, treasure hunt, rock quiz, photography, rock balancing and rock drawing.

“The aim of the event was to sensitise the general population about the importance, preservation and protection of rocks, as the rocks are very much a part of our ecosystem and play a very important role in ground water level preservation,” said Frauke Quader, secretary, Society to Save Rocks.