Gilbert Hill in Mumbai, which is about six and a half billion years old and pre-existent in human existence, needs a new strategy and a new look at geography so that it does not disappear.
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It is said that man was born on earth a quarter of a billion years ago. But how many people can believe that a hill that even existed before this primitive man still survives in the concrete forest of Mumbai? Gilbert Hill in Andheri, about six and a half billion years old and made of Columnar basalt stones, is a direct witness to the whole of human evolution. There are only three hills in the world made up of columnar basalt, Gilbert Hill being one of them.
Get off at Andheri Railway Station, exit to the west and 10-15 minutes away, Gilbert Hill is in the vicinity of Navrang Cinema, Bhavans College. The hill came into existence from a basalt rock formed by a volcanic eruption. Researchers have proved that the hill was formed about six and a half billion years ago during the Mesozoic period. The height of this hill is about 225 feet and this hill in the form of a straight column is really a wonder. This is because eruptions of lava flows often result in the formation of large and small hills and mountains in many places. The layers of basalt formed from this are horizontal. Gilbert Hill is an exception.
Here the layers of basalt are made up of vertical poles, one after the other. These square, rectangular shaped columns are known as columnar basalt. There are only one or three such hills in the world. Two of them are in California and Wyoming in the United States. These hills are known as 'Devil's Postpile' and 'Devil's Tower'. The third hill is our dark Gilbert Hill. Recognizing the importance of this hill, Gilbert Hill was declared a National Park by the Central Government in 1952 under the Forest Act. The hill was declared a heritage site in 2007.
In fact, our entire Deccan Plateau (Deccan Plateau), spread over five lakh square feet, has been formed by the lava flow from the volcano. But this composition of columnar basalt is considered to be very rare. This particular composition of columnar basalt is called lacolith. The hill is now known as Gilbert Hill after the American geologist Grove Carl Gilbert, who discovered the lacolith. According to the second stream, the name is derived from the name of Gilbert, the then divisional English officer of Undheri taluka. In any case, no one can deny that Gilbert Hill still has this invaluable history of billions of years in the world of geology on his shoulders.
There are two temples on this hill. One belongs to Maruti and the other to Gavdevi Durga Devi. There are steps to get there, and festivals are held on the hill every year in the months of Chaitra and Ashwin. Hundreds of years ago this area was densely forested. In recent times, 60-70 years ago, there were open spaces and trees around the hill, as evidenced by the local elders. It is also said that the hill was spread over an area of 50 to 60 acres. Today, however, the hill is surrounded by buildings and huts. Due to frequent encroachments, the hill is getting smaller day by day. Today, the diameter of the hill is only seven to eight kilometers. The top of the hill expands sharply, leaving about 8,000 to 10,000 square feet.
Both hills in the United States are growing as tourist destinations today . These hills are being preserved in America as a rare place on earth. Millions of people visit these places every year. Gilbert Hill in India, on the other hand, is fighting a battle for survival. It is also mentioned that a few years ago a local builder had planned to demolish the hill. However, due to the people's faith in Gavdevi, the hill was saved from collapsing so that people could read the temple of the goddess. Today, the Gavdevi Temple and Gilbert Hill have become an equation.
Today, the temple is located on a hill and at least the top of the hill is beautiful and inviting to tourists. But the road to this hill is very narrow and surrounded by huts. According to the heritage rules, there should be a space of at least 100 m around this hill. But today there are huts right next to this hill. Hence the loss of this rare geographical heritage. Ordinary people don't know much about this heritage either. Secondly, despite the information, Mumbaikars do not have time to look beyond their own biography. This leaves no one wondering what will happen to Gilbert Hill, except for a few movement scholars, historians and temple devotees.
Demands have been made for years to build a protective wall around the hill to preserve the site, which bears witness to human history, as well as to prevent monstrous construction. The Gavdevi Durga Devasthan Trust on the hill is also making efforts for this. But with the exception of a few minor works, the demand for hill protection still lingers in the red tape. Maharashtra State Tourism Development Corporation has not taken proper notice of this hill. If these organizations understand how important this hill is, it will be possible to take care of the hill and pass it on safely to future generations. Planning with the help of educational and research institutes on how to develop such places can boost tourism.
At the school, college level you get mention of basalt stones in geography. The formation of the earth, the types of rocks are also studied. But it is not even taught that the stones that appear in the closed classroom and in the rough pictures in the book are actually around us. Even in schools and colleges in Mumbai, not much is said about Gilbert Hill and its importance. Student trips do not come here much. Unless you are aware of this valuable resource, where will you find the inspiration to enrich it?
Not to mention, many films like 'Waqt', 'Sholay' and 'Slumdog Millionaire' have been shot in this area. But the fortunes of all the places do not shine as seen in the movies. Even Gilbert Hill has not yet been touched by glamor. So even today, there is a question mark over who will take care of this hill.
We need concrete strategies to preserve the geological splendor of such a system. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) should make a list of such structures and prepare regulations for their protection. Care should be taken to ensure that these rules are followed along with the local administration and the state government.
As long as something is readily available to you, you do not know its value. Something similar happened to Gilbert Hill today. If this ancient rock is destroyed in the course of time, the next generation will never forgive us. So everyone should understand the pain of these stones. We have to convince ourselves and the government that this is not a stone but the history of our geography.
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