Hyderabad, Oct.6 (NSS): On the occasion of International Jio Diversity Day 2024, ‘Jio Heritage Trial’ and ‘Talk on Jio Diversity’ were organized by The Deccan Heritage Academy Trust at Fakhruddin Gutta (Khaja Hills) near Gachibowli, in the city today.
The event was presided over by the Chairman of the Deccan Heritage Academy Prof. Veda Kumar Manikonda. Other speakers at the event were Kamatham Mahender Reddy, Director (Retd.), Ramoju Haragopal, Chakkilam Venugopal Rao, Deputy Director General, (Retd.) GSI. Soma Ram Murthy, Senior Scientist, (Retd.), Landscape Architect A.R. Ramraj, Hyde, Sakina, member of Save Rocks and Jazir Hussain, Member of Salarjung Museum.
Speaking on the occasion, Vedakumar said the International Geo Diversity Day was being observed from 2022 in association with the Deccan Heritage Academy Trust and other NGOs and added that on this occasion it had been decided to visit Fakhruddin Gutta this year to create awareness on Jio heritage sites in Telangana.
He said the Deccan region, especially Telangana, has a great geographical significance and has a full range of Deccani stone structures that are dating back lakhs of years and has an amazing geographical diversity, which are considered to be one of the largest rock formations in the world. “There is still a need to identify and conserve stone structures, places and areas like Pandavula Gutta, Bhuvanagiri, Devarakonda, Undru Konda, Bommalamma Gutta and many more.
At present, only Pandavula Gutta in Telangana is officially recognized by the Geological Survey of India and the Government of India. There are still many other places in Telangana that deserve such recognition. Keeping in mind the importance of geographical uniqueness, the State government should take steps to conserve these geographically diverse places by investing, documenting and preserving these places for future generations and ensure that these places get official recognition from UNESCO. It will also help in the growth of tourism in Telangana,” he added.
Mahender Reddy explained the importance of conserving the ecological and geographical areas of historical importance in Telangana such as special rocks, soils, geographical locations and so on. “These geographical assets cannot be recovered if they are lost,” he said.
Retired GSI Director General Chakkilam Venugopal Rao said these hills were geological wonders and were known as Hyderabad Granite Complex. “There are still many unknown geographical features and geographical variations in the Telangana region,” he said while adding that more studies are needed to know more about them.
Ramoju Haragopal said the Khajaguda hills were rare natural rock formations and explained how these rocks got the name Fakhruddin and explained the history of Dargah Hazrat Fakhruddin. “There are many more geographical places in Telangana and they need to be identified and brought to light,” he said.
All speakers expressed concern over the extinction of the million-year-old natural rock structure in return for development. The other guests, who participated in the event, strongly stressed the need for conservation of various rock structures which are the geographical and physical aspects of nature.
