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Snakes spoil SCB plans to develop the Gun Rock Hill

The current plan for Gun Rock is to plant more than 80,000 saplings

Hyderabad: Sujatha Gupta, the chief executive officer of Secunderabad Cantonment Board, said, “The SCB did inspect the Gun Rock area in 2012 and had planned to convert it into a picnic spot. It is a huge rock structure, but the only problem is that there are many snakes. Any development would disturb the snakes and other boulder ridge wild animals and that would again affect the residential colonies surrounding the structure; it is thus dangerous to take up any works. The SCB has already consulted field experts to encourage tourism there, but there are no immediate plans.”

The current plan for Gun Rock is to plant more than 80,000 saplings around the area. The SCB has also planned to construct a park around the Jay Bharathi Colony. It also has plans to create a Golconda like structure without disturbing the tank on the top as well.

Experts’ Opinion

Ranga Vutukuru, a regular climber at the Gun Rock, said, “The SCB must first demarcate the area. Though it is right in the middle of the city, the entire structure looks lost. A set of trails can be developed as hiking trails. All the boulders around Gun Rock can be used for bouldering. Security is another big concern. This place is not considered safe during the late hours. The locals’ support is needed. Only when we make friends with the locals, can the sporting activity take place here without any objections. Also, many city-based climbing groups are ready, but we need the SCB’s support. Several climbing and bouldering competitions can be organised here. With regard to protection, any rocky structure is naturally protected. People visiting the site must alert authorities about encroachments and anti-social activities. The SCB needs to create a safe environment to invite people.”

Sandeep Raj of Save Rocks Society said, “Bouldering is a form of rock climbing which takes place on boulders and other small rock formations usually measuring less than 20 feet from ground to top. Bouldering routes or ‘problems’ require the climber to reach the top of a boulder, usually from a specified start position. Some boulder problems, known as ‘traverses’, require the climbers to climb horizontally from one position to another. Bouldering is climbing in its simplest form. It requires the least amount of gear. One just needs a pair of rock shoes, maybe some chalk and a landing pad and you’re good to go.”

( Source : dc correspondent )
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