Save Gilbert Hill - 65 Million-Year-Old Monolith Rock

Mumbai, the commercial hub of India, is a cosmopolitan city made up of seven islands. But very few seem to be aware of the fact that in one of the distant suburbs of this multi-cultural city – Andheri (West) to be precise, is located an incredible pre-historical 65 million year-old monolith rock called the Gilbert Hill, named after a British officer. This vertical columnar rock is a one of its kind rock, to be found anywhere in India. The 200 foot high black basalt monolith with sharp contours is believed to have been formed, when hot smoldering lava burst forth from the earth’s bowels. Archeologically speaking it dates back to the the Mesozoic Era, in pre-historic times.

Gilbert hill is quite akin to the Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, and the Devil’s Post Pile National Monument in Eastern California, USA. This hill in-fact is one of the only two hills found in the entire world, of the same kind. The other is the Devil's Tower in north-eastern Wyoming, above the Belle Fourche River in America. The latter, is made of Basalt hexagons protruding from the Earth’s bowels. Climbing up the steep stairway chiseled out of the rock column, one can reach the top. Two Hindu temples, the Gaodevi and Durgamata temples are to be found here, nestling cozily within a tiny garden. The hill offers a breathtaking vista of the Mumbai metro specifically the Arabian Sea, the Santacruz Airport, Madh Island, Andheri, Lokhandwala, Jogeshwari, Juhu, and even the tall high rises of Hiranandani Complex at Powai. Particularly, during the rainy season the view from the top is one of pleasant climes coupled with a plethora of green all over.

Way back in 1952, it had been declared a National Park by the then Govt. It was due to intense lobbying and public interest litigation filed by Gaondevi Durga Devasthan Trust for the protection of the hill, the pre-historic Gilbert Hill was finally notified in Sept. 2007 and given the status of a Heritage Site, in-fact as a Grade II Structure. However, the plight of this precious national treasure today, three years later is pathetic, to say the least. Mumbai’s 65-million-year-old rarity is threatened by a spate of urban constructions mushrooming around it. Despite receiving numerous complaints on its behalf, Govt. & Revenue dept’s have by and large been non-responsive. The Revenue dept. has even given the go-ahead to builders to construct 16 storied skyscrapers in front of this monolith. Builders simply build skyscrapers and then charge a hefty premium for the exquisite view of this pre-historical monument.

Despite a High Court order in 2006, banning all kinds of construction activity around the monolith, one finds extensive quarrying and construction activities going on in full flow here. The reason for the court ban was a landslide earlier which trimmed off a portion of the hill. A number of high-rises have also mushroomed all around Gilbert Hill in recent years, prompting concerns for its stability. Excavation work near the hill is going on steadily and if this excavation at the hill's base continues, it will remove the ground support for the columns and destabilize the hill, and in due course, the columns will open up at the top and fall off on the sides, fear experts. They opine that the best solution would be to 'grout' the joint-openings between the columns so that they do not trim off on the sides." The sad reality is that the plateau top which survives today is very small indeed. Furthermore, if vibratory shocks to the hill are not prevented, there is even fear of creating more danger to the staircase and the two temples at the top.

Most unfortunate too, is the impact on the flora and fauna at Gilbert Hill. It is home to the avian species such as the Black Kites and the Indian ring-necked parakeets. Many other rare birds have been spotted in large numbers over here. But now there is fear expressed by environmentalists’ that their numbers may dwindle over the years, as one by one their habitats are slowly being ravaged by the haphazard concrete buildings springing around the monolith column. Local residents reveal on the condition of anonymity, that they have made several appeals to the municipal authorities, collectors and other concerned officials for years in a bid to save the monolith from realtors, builders and other encroachers but all to no avail.

It cannot be stressed enough that Gilbert hill is a rare and distinctive environmental entity. Not just in the geological history of the Deccan trap region but in the entire world and needs to be protected at any cost. Sadly it does not even feature in any of the tourist maps of India. It is strongly recommended that now at least the relict portion of the hill is preserved as a “National Natural Monument”. This has already been recommended by a competent authority like Geological Survey of India. It’s about time the world community too wakes up. It’s not just an Indian Natural heritage but also a World Heritage Site, which has been largely neglected over the years. People from around the globe be it archeologists, geologists, historians or monument lovers speak up in its defense and do their bit for its preservation, so that it is saved for posterity in all its glory.

It will be relatively easier now, since a new amendment has been brought about by the Archaeological Survey of India to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, which seeks to firmly prevent unauthorized constructions and illegal encroachments besides taking care of the ambience or original setting of the ancient monuments and archaeological sites declared as of National importance. As per this act: “Penalty for causing damage, alteration, misuse and other acts as well as for undertaking construction related activities unauthorized in the prohibited areas and regulated areas of protected monuments and protected areas of enhanced with imprisonment extendable to two years or with fine up to one lakh rupees.”

You may do your bit by writing to concerned officials at the following links:

http://www.asi.nic.in/asi_aboutus_organization_headquarter.asp

You may even sign this petition addressed to the President of India:

http://www.petitiononline.com/savehill/petition-sign.html