‘Nukkad natak’ held in protest over Rock Garden wall razing

In a spirited display of protest, residents and volunteers of the Saving Chandigarh group enacted a ‘nukkad natak’ (street play) on Tuesday at the Sector 17 plaza. The protest was held in response to the Administration’s ongoing road widening project that resulted in the razing of a section of the Rock Garden’s historic wall, causing a public outcry.

The Administration’s decision to widen roads in the area, aimed at easing traffic congestion, has sparked concerns among residents, environmentalists and art lovers, who argue that it is threatening the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the city’s landmark. The removal of a part of the Rock Garden’s wall is seen as an irreversible alteration to the aesthetic and historical significance of the site.

The street play was designed to raise awareness about the broader environmental impact of such urban projects. With the theme focussed on the balance between development and nature, the play offered a satire on modern urban life, where rapid expansion often leads to the erosion of important cultural and natural landmarks.

As part of the group’s broader mission, volunteers are also highlighting the need to protect the forests and trees in and around the Rock Garden area. According to them, the rapid clearing of trees to make way for car parking and infrastructure development has raised alarms about the long-term environmental consequences.

Residents are now calling on the Administration to reconsider the road-widening plan, urging them to adopt sustainable solutions that protect both heritage of Rock Garden and the city’s environment. The group has promised more such protests to ensure that the voices of the concerned residents were heard.

Activists insist that dismantled art and installations be retrieved and reincorporated.

Besides, a call for afforestation has been made by the group, saying that replanting would compensate for the trees that were felled. As per the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change guidelines, compulsory afforestation must take place.

Moreover, the Saving Chandigarh group insists that the restoration should not be left in the hands of bureaucrats unfamiliar with Nek Chand’s artistic philosophy.