Hyderabad: The Society to Save Rocks, an environmental NGO, is gearing up to celebrate International Geodiversity Week from October 25 to 27, in alignment with UNESCO’s 2024 theme, “Conserving the Past, Sustaining the Future.”
The event, to be held at The State Gallery of Art in Madhapur, will be inaugurated by HYDRA Chief AV Ranganath at 6 pm on Friday, October 25. It will feature an exhibition of paintings by renowned artist Shaun Heffernan and his students, titled “Sentinels of Hyderabad.”
Esteemed speakers at the event include Professor Fathima Ali Khan, Ravi Kumar, Anant Maringanti, and K Lakshmi.
The ancient granite rock formations of the Deccan Region, spanning Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and parts of Maharashtra, are among the planet’s geological wonders, estimated by geologists to be around 2.5 billion years old—making them the second oldest rock formations in the world.
Despite their immense geological and ecological importance, these rock formations are under severe threat in the 21st century due to rapid industrialization and urban expansion. This destruction endangers the diverse flora and fauna native to the Deccan Plateau.
The Society to Save Rocks actively promotes the conservation of these natural treasures. Through monthly “rock walks,” which are open to all, the organization fosters appreciation for these formations and encourages activities like bouldering, rock climbing, and connecting with nature, drawing participants from all ages and backgrounds.
